WORK

Vocabulary

a strike

a division

pay

a trainee

a foreman

an employer

a post

a candidate

a raise

an industrial dispute

a district

wages

an apprentice

a union representative

an employee

an application

an applicant

perks

a lockout

a department

salary

a probationer

a shop steward

a worker

a vacancy
an interviewer

a bonus

SHORT TOPIC

People in Spain can look for jobs in the Situations Vacant column of national or local
newspapers. National newspapers such as "The ABC " focus on different areas of employment
such us media , education , social work and information technology on different days. Job
vacancies are also displayed at Job Centres and other Employment Agencies in towns and cities
and on the Internet.

Before applying for a job, you should check that you meet the requirements . These are usually
specified in terms of previous experience , qualifications and personality . To show that you are
a suitable candidate for the post , it is usual to enclose a curriculum vitae with your letter of
application . There are many computer programs that will help you produce a well designed
and professional-looking curriculum vitae, available both from computer software retailers and
as freeware on the web.

If you make the right impression, you will be invited to an interview ; otherwise you will
probably receive a letter saying: "we regret to inform you that your application has been
unsuccessful." The successful applicant will probably be given a contract of employment which
will contain the job description and the terms and conditions . You show your acceptance of
these by signing the contract .

On your first day of work, you may be invited to join a trade union . If so, you will probably be
introduced to your shop steward , the trade union official who will represent you and your
colleagues in negotiations with management . Sooner or later, you will meet your boss . The
person who you report to , could also be called a line manager or director. In factories ,
workers often take their orders from a team-leader or foreman , who is an intermediary
between the employer and the employees .

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

1. What ratio of work to leisure would be your ideal? Answer using percentages.

2. Are the people in your country famous for working hard or for having a good social life?

3. What jobs would you most and least like to do?

4. What jobs have you done in your life and what did you like and dislike about them?

5. Which age-groups are worst affected by unemployment in your country? Should people who
have never worked before be entitled to unemployment benefit?
6. What are the causes of unemployment and how is the problem solved in your country?

7. Do women in your country have equality of job opportunities?Are they paid as well as men?

8. Are there many migrant workers in your country? If so, what kind of jobs do they do?What
are their working conditions like?

9. Do people leave your country to find work in other countries? Where do they go?What sort
of jobs do they get? Are they made welcome?

10. Do workers in your country pay a lot of income tax to the government?Do people with
large salaries pay a much higher rate of tax than other workers?Do you think they should?

11. Do you think that every worker should have the right to join a Trade Union?

12. Do you think that every worker, (including doctors, nurses, teachers, the police, ambulance
crews and fire fighters), should have the right to go on strike?