Narrator: Welcome back to English at Work. Anna is acting up as boss because Paul
had an accident with a biscuit! But her and Tom are in a panic after finding
a note in Paul’s diary that said ‘Socrates, IPC, final’. Could it mean bad
news for Tip Top Trading? Let’s find out.
Tom: It’s very odd and it can’t be good. But Socrates must mean Mr Socrates.
Anna: Yes – but IPC? What’s that mean?
Tom: Yeah and final sounds very… final. Hmm… I’ve got it! IPC – it must be
code for imminent post closures – they’re going to sack us all!
Anna: Sshh. Keep your voice down. Don’t tell everyone. Let’s check things out
first, don’t say anything yet. OK?
Tom: OK. Mum’s the word.
Anna: Your mum knows?!
Tom: No, no, no, it’s our little secret. See you later.
Denise: Everything OK Tom?
Tom: Oh yeah, everything’s cool. Actually Denise, it’s not. I think we’re all going
to be sacked tomorrow by Mr Socrates.
Denise: What?! No! I’ve got a hairdresser’s appointment on Saturday, how am I
going to pay for it now? What am I going to do? I know, I’ll call Marge.
Tom: (Calling across office) Hey Brian, Pete… we’re all going to be sacked
tomorrow.
Narrator: Erm… Anna, you’ve got a problem brewing.
Anna: What?
Narrator: Tom’s spreading rumours about job cuts. Everyone’s starting to panic.
Anna: Oh no! I’d better do something but what shall I say?
Narrator: Call a meeting quickly. Tell the team ‘there are some rumours going
around that are not true’. Say, ‘I am trying to establish the facts and I will
let you know as soon as I have some information’. You could say ‘I would
be grateful if you hear any rumours, not to pass them on’. This can be a
tricky situation and you need to handle it well. Good luck!English at Work © British Broadcasting Corporation 2012
Page 2 of 3
bbclearningenglish.com
Anna: Gosh. This is hard but here goes. Excuse me, could everyone gather round
please.
Denise: Is this about the sackings?
Anna: No Denise. Any rumours about sackings are not true.
Tom: Yeah that’s right. Who told you that Denise?
Denise: Hmmm…
Anna: Please don’t listen to rumours. I am trying to establish the facts and if I get
any information I will let you know straight away.
Denise: But I heard Mr Socrates is coming tomorrow, surely he’s going to sack us.
Anna: Ignore the rumours and please don’t pass them on.
Narrator: Anna. Tell them to carry on with their work as normal.
Anna: Right, yes. Could you please just carry on with your work as normal. Thank
you.
Tom: So Anna, how are you going to find out the facts?
Anna: I’m going to have to call Paul – in private Tom – I don’t want any more
rumours getting out.
Tom: Oh yeah, absolutely. You need to establish the facts right?
(Door shuts and Anna calls Paul on the phone)
Paul: Hello, Paul speaking.
Anna: Oh hi Paul. It’s Anna. Sorry to bother you. Are you feeling better?
Paul: Much better thanks but keeping clear of biscuits for a while! Anyway, is
everything OK?
Anna: Not exactly. There are rumours spreading about job cuts. Tom saw a note
in your diary for tomorrow that said ‘Socrates, IPC’.
Paul: Hmm. Really? Oh yes. I mean, oh no! It’s not job cuts – it’s IPC - the
International Plastics Conference tomorrow! And Mr Socrates is flying in for
it. Oh golly gosh, I’d forgotten about that.
Anna: I see. And why did you right final?
Paul: Because there’s an award being given for the Best Plastic Innovation – and
we’re in the final with our Imperial Lemon. It was a reminder to me to
write an acceptance speech. Oh golly gosh, I haven’t written a thing.English at Work © British Broadcasting Corporation 2012
Page 3 of 3
bbclearningenglish.com
Anna: Oh dear. What are we going to do?
Narrator: What are you going to do indeed? But thank goodness those rumours of
job cuts are not true. Tomorrow could actually be a good day for Tip Top
Trading. Here’s a reminder of the phrases Anna used to try and control the
spread of some office rumours:
There are some rumours going around that are not true.
Please don’t listen to rumours.
I am trying to establish the facts and if I get any information I will let you
know straight away.
Ignore the rumours and please don’t pass them on.
Please just carry on with your work as normal. Thank you.
Narrator: Tomorrow is going to be an important day at the International Plastics
Conference. Mr Socrates will be there and Tip Top Trading could pick up a
prestigious prize but who’s going to write the acceptance speech?
Paul: OK Anna, this calls for some urgent action. I want you and Tom to meet
me at the Princess Diana Conference Centre tomorrow at 9.00.
