BBC白领工作英语第50集：残酷的现实，公司裁员常用短语
Denise: Morning everyone. How did you get on at the conference?
Tom: Oh hi Denise. Yeah it was… it was OK.
Anna: What do you mean ‘OK’? It was great. We made some new contacts and we won an award – Best Plastic Innovation of the Year, for our Imperial Lemon.
Denise: Oh that’s wonderful. Wish I’d been there.
Tom: Maybe next year eh? Narrator: Maybe? 欢迎大家回到 Tip Top 贸易公司的办公室。大家都在分享昨天获奖的好消 息，不过，你还记得昨天Paul和美国大老板 Mr Socrates 谈话的事儿吗？今天 Paul 有坏消息要宣布，不过到底是什么事儿呢？ 请注意听：
Paul: Morning everyone.
Anna: Hi Paul. Everything OK?
Paul: Yes, fine. Well done for winning Employee of the Year – I hope you can continue to be a great employee. Excuse me. (Door shuts)
Denise: Hmm, he sounded odd. What did he mean?
Tom: Probably run out of biscuits!
Anna: He’s obviously got something on his mind.
Paul: (Door opens) Denise, could I have a word with you in my office please?
Denise: Of course. I’ll bring my notepad and pen shall I?
Tom: What’s that all about? Anyway, now we’re alone, I wanted to see what you’re doing tonight… are you free?
Anna: Sorry Tom, I’m seeing Dave tonight. He’s offered to fix something on my computer at home.
Tom: Oh, has he now? (Door opens and closes)
Denise: (Crying) All the years I’ve worked here – why me? Why now?
Anna: Denise, what’s up?
Denise: Paul says he needs to move the furniture around and he has to let me go. He says he can’t afford me anymore.
Anna: That’s terrible… but where’s he letting you go to? And what furniture is he moving? Narrator: No Anna! 如果有人说他们在 ‘moving the furniture’ – 那就是婉转地说他们在进行 调整，变动。 如果他们说 ‘they have to let you go’ – 意思就是他们不想要你了， 换句话说就是你被解雇了，they’re sacking you!
Anna: Sacking you? Oh, that is serious. (To Denise) Denise, I’m really sorry to hear this. But why does Paul want to ‘move the furniture’ around?
Denise: He says it’s because of the tough economic situation. My role is no longer needed.
Tom: Hey that’s not true. You make a great cup of tea Denise. I’ve got a good mind to smash Paul’s bourbons into tiny crumbs. Grrr.
Denise: Calm down Tom. Now Denise, when did Paul say you had to go?
Denise: He’s given me seven days’ notice. Narrator: A ‘notice period’ 就是雇主给被裁员职工的通知期。
Denise: I never thought I would be facing redundancy… not now… not at my age.
Anna: Redundancy? Narrator: 没错，如果某人对你说 ‘they are facing redundancy’ 面临裁员，换句话说就是工 作保不住了。可怜的 Denise 需要有人安慰安慰。
Anna: Yes. Denise, do you want my shoulder to cry on?
Denise: Oh thanks.
Tom: Urgh! Erm… Denise I’ve just made some tea, would you like a cup?
Denise: Oh yes please.
Tom: Here you go. You know Denise, you’ve got to think positively. You’ll get another job… and let’s face it you didn’t like working here anyway…you always looked so miserable. Narrator: 我觉得 Tom 的这番话不会对 Denise 有任何安慰和鼓励的！ 失去工作可是件痛苦的 事儿，往往突如其来令人措手不及。下面我们一起来听听 Paul 和 Denise 面谈裁员 消息时使用的几个短语：
We’ve got to move the furniture around.
I’m afraid I’ve got to let you go.
I’m giving you seven days’ notice.
Narrator: 这里还有几个同裁员有关的短语:
Facing redundancy 面临裁员
Getting the sack 被炒鱿鱼了，被解雇了
Terminating your employment 把你解雇了
Leaving the company 离开公司了
Denise: Right well, I might as well start clearing out my desk.
Tom: Yeah it’s a real shame. Any chance I could have your stapler?
Anna: Tom, you could be a bit more sympathetic.
Tom: Oh right. (Door opens)
Paul: Erm… Tom, Anna. Could I have a word in my office please?
Tom: Oh no. This is it. It’s my turn to get the chop!
Denise: Ha, You might not need my stapler after all! Narrator: 哎呀! 看来形式不妙。Tom 和 Anna 会不会也被砍掉，我是说被解雇呢？下期节目见 分晓。
Listening Challenge 听力挑战，
Anna 向 Denise 表示安慰时使用了一个短语，依赖什么来 cry on?
(答案：她的肩膀!)
