Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
Layoffs

Layoffs

Date: May 28 2021

Themes: News, Work

Grammar: Comparing Quantity

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Even though we often complain about our jobs, nobody wants to get fired. If you have to lose your job, it should at least be for something crazy, like having an affair with the boss’s daughter or setting fire to your cubicle. But often, when businesses start losing money, they have no choice but to lay off a bunch of their employees.

Times are tough for a lot of people right now, and Devan is worried that she might lose her job as a waitress. Listen to talk to Marni about what she should do.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Devan

Marni

Marni

Devan:  So I think I’m getting laid off at my work.

Marni:  Oh no! Really? Why?

Devan:  ‘Cause it seems like they’re phasing me out. They’re only scheduling me two days a week, and I used to work four. And it’s been really slow lately ‘cause of the economy, ‘cause people aren’t going out to eat.

Marni:  Yeah, I think you’re, uh…Sounds like you’re gonna get the ax. It’s the recession, I mean, it’s happening, and it’s sad. It’s hitting all industries. It’s hitting people in office jobs, it’s hitting people who’re in the service industry...

Devan:  Yeah. I think I’m gonna have to file for unemployment, but unemployment checks are never for as much as you would normally make, so I’m pretty worried about it.

Marni:  Right. And there’s always the…And then you have to get a job and look for a job, and who wants to do that. So do you think you’re gonna get a pink slip or…

Devan:  I don’t know, I hope not. I open my locker at work every day hoping there’s not gonna be some pink slip waiting there for me telling me I’m not gonna have a job anymore.

Marni:  Well, best of luck to you, and hopefully…Maybe it’s a wise idea to start job-hunting now so you can be one step ahead of them.

Devan:  Yeah, I think I’m going to start looking for new jobs today.

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Comparing Quantity" from this lesson Go Super!

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz Go Super!

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3 Go Super!

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Discussion

Devan is worried that she’s going to get fired from her job. Her boss has been giving her fewer shifts lately and she’s noticed that there’s been less business at the restaurant where she works.

Marni feels sorry for Devan. She says a lot of people have been losing their jobs lately because the economy is so bad.

If Devan does get fired, she can get unemployment benefits from the government. But those don’t last forever and they’re not worth as much as a real job. Plus, looking for a new job is really annoying. So Devan really hopes she’ll be able to keep her job, but she’s going to start looking for new jobs just in case.

Have you ever lost a job? What happened? Are you worried about the economy?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

saaaaaaaam

saaaaaaaam

Saudi Arabia

and  about the second question my answear will be >>

yes i have i want to be an anchor and i will fight to be

ok guys im waiting your practicits

and im sorry for spelling i know my spelling not perfect

so my saluation for all Laughing

06:54 PM Feb 07 2009 |

saaaaaaaam

saaaaaaaam

Saudi Arabia

and  about the second question my answear will be >>

yes i have i want to be an anchor and i will fight to be

ok guys im waiting your practicits

and im sorry for spelling i know my spelling not perfect

so my saluation for all Laughing

06:54 PM Feb 07 2009 |

saaaaaaaam

saaaaaaaam

Saudi Arabia

beulvev>>>believe….

06:48 PM Feb 07 2009 |

saaaaaaaam

saaaaaaaam

Saudi Arabia

hello everybody i have some questions and i hope everybody read these questions answear it it will just take minuts so my question is …......

1)why you are worried a bout your future ?i mean dont you have studying or job to feel confortball  about your future?........i have my study and i do my best so i beulvev that the god will give me what i deserve   so for this question my answear will be no im not worrie

2)do you have dream you want to got it in future nd what is it ???

06:44 PM Feb 07 2009 |

huynh-kieuoanh

Viet Nam

Well, there are many serious worries for our stable furture these days. We have feasible reasons to foresee that maybe we are laid off tomorrow. I'm still job hunting now although I have not fired yet, I see my office's doing business is going down fiercely. You know there were no any salary raises or bonuses for a last whole year, 2008. I tell to myself that from now I have to be ready for a change if I am put in a terrible situation, so everybody ! dont wait too late to find another job, should be initiative to save our future first. Cool

03:29 PM Feb 07 2009 |

blue_sky7952

Taiwan

OMG

I think I must study hard

cause in the future there still lots of challenge I need to solve it…...

01:17 PM Feb 07 2009 |

EVERYTHINGOK

Turkey

I HOPE EVERYTHING WILL BE BETTER

09:00 AM Feb 07 2009 |

Mr Shaluunge

United States

HI here, I need someone who helps me so may I get,  I  think to get ,

08:14 AM Feb 07 2009 |

ballstar

China

I was fired three months age, and I am job hunting now,It's difficult,but I tried my best. I believe tomorrow is better!

04:03 AM Feb 07 2009 |

加菲洋洋

加菲洋洋

China

withes her to find a new job as soon as possibleSmile

03:30 AM Feb 07 2009 |

blueskun

blueskun

China

god bless  good  man

i think

12:59 AM Feb 07 2009 |

weterboy

China

i do my best , that is the way to fit it

12:51 AM Feb 07 2009 |

idrnouel

Dominican Republic

Well guys, I heard about the crisis every day, also when I was a child. What we need to do? Do all things that you like, and do very well. Is your door close, don't worry, another door is open for you.

12:39 AM Feb 07 2009 |

nour_2

nour_2

Syrian Arab Republic

here …......the economical recession is increasing…

and that reverses on the ppl in syria….

so some of them  are getting  angry …...and furious….immediately…for any reason…

so…...............it's a critical crisis…

hope to be reduced somedayUndecided

10:48 PM Feb 06 2009 |

Billie joe

Colombia

To me Global crisis is relative ´cause I living in Colombia and emplyment here is haven´t affected so what a pitty for devan,  if she getting lay her off :(

08:18 PM Feb 06 2009 |

EVERYTHINGOK

Turkey

OF COURSE THIS GLOBAL CRISIS IS BIG THREAT FOR EVERYONE. PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.

MAY GOD HELP US… 

06:36 PM Feb 06 2009 |

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

This effect only us that work hard, great bankers never want to lost!! then we pay for it!!

05:28 PM Feb 06 2009 |

iman82

iman82

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

I got pink slip lately, Its so so bad for me, i’m pretty sad and i was tried to JOB-HUNNTING but no way for it.

04:48 PM Feb 06 2009 |

Nkjones19

Nkjones19

United States

why?. you're fired.

01:38 PM Feb 06 2009 |

Gabgat

Oman

i hope the economy is going to retrive

11:04 AM Feb 06 2009 |

Likes (75):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast