UNIT

WORKPLACE PROBLEMS

I. INTRODUCTION

Problems at the workplace, as in life, are inevitable.

Understanding a problem in the workplace is very important in order to solve it.

Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy workplace, free from harassment and
discrimination.

At the end of the study, students should know some of those problems and be able to use
vocabulary which best describes it.

II. COMMON WORKPLACE ISSUES

1. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Workplace violence is defined as "physical assault, threatening behaviour or verbal abuse,

racial and sexual harassment occurring in the work setting (place)."

It can happen in all kinds of workplaces, industries, occupations and professions.

2. DISCRIMINATION

Discrimination refers to a situation in which you are treated unfairly because of who you are
or what you stand for.

Under the law, an employer cannot discriminate against you because of any of some
the following:

 Gender , Age , Sex, Race or Cooler

 Religious and political believes

 Disability, etc.

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3. STRESS

Stress can stem from excess work (for example an employee is doing the work of several
employees).

Stress can affect job performance and may even impact an employee's home life in his
interactions with family and friends.

4. HARASSMENT AND BULLYING

Bullying happens most often between employees of equal stature, whereas harassment is
usually defined by one person exerting his or her control or authority over someone in a
weaker or subservient position. The consequences of each are harmful, both to individuals
and corporate teams.

5. GOSSIP

Gossip in the workplace is another very common issue that can damage relationships and
diminish productivity of people, teams, and even entire divisions. When gossip rages about
sensitive issues, such as a co-worker's failing marriage or a possible workplace romance,
however, it can become destructive and can create a great deal of negativity.

6. INTERNET MISUSE

It is important for employers to put in place a policy that regulates the use of the internet and
email. Usage may be for business purposes only or for some predefined private use. The
terms of the policy should be made known to the employees and due warning given that it will
be enforced. If pornography is accessed, there is a real danger that it will amount to
harassment of employees who are aware of it, even if they do not see the images.

7. DISCIPLINARY

Employees guilty of misconduct may be dismissed but this would be considered unfair unless
fair procedures are followed.

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8. STRIKES

When a trade union is unable to negotiate a collective agreement, they sometimes choose to
strike an employer. A strike includes (1) a cessation of work, (2) a refusal to work, or (3) a
refusal to continue to work, by two or more employees for the purpose of compelling their
employer to agree to terms or conditions of employment.

III. ASSIGNMENT

In the following sentences and paragraphs, one of the words in each of the word pairs in bold
is wrong and one is right. Identify the most appropriate word in each case. You will find this
easier to do if you read each paragraph through first so that you have a better idea of what it
is about. (Note that the wrong words are real English words, but do not fit into the context of
the sentence / paragraph.)

Paragraph (A)

If there is a (1) despite / dispute between the management and the union in a company which
cannot be (2) restored / resolved, and as a result a (3) strike / stroke looks likely, a third party
might be called in to (4) abdicate / arbitrate.

Paragraph (B)

Poor (1) timekeeping / timeserving, persistent (2) abstentions / absenteeism and

general (3) misconception / misconduct at work have lost us over $200,000 this
year.

Paragraph (C)

Three managers have been accused of (1) fraught / fraud, (2) dissemination / discrimination,
(3) bullying /bumbling, (4) racy / racial (5) obtuse / abuse and (6) sectional / sexual (7)
harassment / arrestment. As a result two of them have been (8) fried / fired and one has been
(9) suspected / suspended without pay. The first two are claiming (10) unfair / unfaithful (11)
dismissive / dismissal and plan to (12) appeal /appall. The third has applied for a job with the
government
.

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Paragraph (D)

We would like to point out that there have been several (1) breaches / beaches of
the company's 'No smoking' policy. We also have proof that several factory floor
workers have been (2) neglecting / negotiating their duties, and there have also
been several incidences of (3) insurrection / insubordination towards senior
managers and intentional (4) damning / damage of company property. If this
happens again, those responsible will be taken before a (5) disconcerting /
disciplinary (6) broad / board and could face (7) instant / instance (8) dismal /
dismissal.

Paragraph (E)

The management are fully aware that because of staff (1) shortness / shortages we
are all (2) overstretched / oversubscribed at the moment, Mr. Harrington, but we
suggest that if you have a (3) grievance / grievous, you put it to us in writing rather
than encourage your colleagues to hold a sudden (4) walkout / walkabout. We'd
like you to treat this as a (5) verbal / verdant (6) warming / warning: the next time it
happens, we will be obliged to ask for your (7) notice / note.

Paragraph (F)

What a terrible month! Sales have (1) droned / dropped by 40%, six employees have been
made (2) recumbent / redundant, two senior managers have (3) resigned / resided, our main
supplier has gone (4) bankrolled / bankrupt, someone has (5) haggled / hacked into the
company website and given us a (6) virus / viscous (with the result that the entire computer
system has (7) crashed / cracked), and the donut machine is still out of (8) odor / order.