Business Word/Phrase of the Day

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HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE hoʊmˌoʊ nərs ɪnˈʃʊər əns

30 Jan 2013

Noun

  • insurance which covers a person’s home in case of fire, flood, earthquakes, hurricanes, theft, etc.
Example Sentence: After the typhoon last year, I was so glad that I had opened a homeowners insurance policy!
 

LIFE INSURANCE laɪf ɪnˈʃʊər əns

29 Jan 2013

Noun

  • insurance which pays family members when the person insured dies; usually pays more if the person dies by accident.
Example Sentence: I am thinking about getting life insurance to protect my family in case of an accident.
 

AUTO INSURANCE ɔ toʊ ɪnˈʃʊər əns

28 Jan 2013

Noun

  • insurance which covers automobile accidents, including medical costs and damage to automobile and property.
Example Sentence: Because of an accident last year, my auto insurance premiums have doubled.
 

JOB INTERVIEW /dʒɒb ˈɪn.tə.vjuː/

05 Sep 2012

noun phrase

  • a meeting in which someone asks you questions to see if you are suitable for a job
Example Sentences:I had an interview for a job with a publishing company.
The interview didn’t go very well. I doubt I’ll get the job.
 

WHITE-COLLAR WORKER  

04 Sep 2012

phrase

  • someone who works in offices, doing work that needs mental rather than physical effort
Example Sentences:Cambridge has a lot of high-tech industries employing mostly white-collar workers.
White-collar workers tend to earn considerably more than blue-collar workers.
 

BLUE-COLLAR WORKER  

03 Sep 2012

phrase

  • someone who does work needing strength or physical skill rather than office work
Example Sentences:Pittsburg is a steel town, mainly populated by blue-collar workers.
Blue-collar workers tend to earn much less than skilled professionals.
 

TEMPORARY WORKER /ˈtem.pər.ər.i ˈwɜː.kər/

02 Sep 2012

phrase

  • Employee who is not permanently hired but hired just for a limited period of time
Example Sentences:During the peak season, the hotel employs a number of temporary workers.
As a temporary worker, I’m not entitled to the same benefits as the permanent workers.
 

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL /pəˈfɔː.mənt s əˈpreɪ.zəl/

01 Sep 2012

noun phrase

  • when an employee meets with their manager or employer to discuss their progress, aims and needs at work
Example Sentences:I’m really worried about my performance appraisal tomorrow.
My performance appraisal was much better than I expected.
 

JOB DESCRIPTION /dʒɒb dɪˈskrɪp.ʃən/

31 Aug 2012

noun

  • a list of the responsibilities which you have and the duties which you are expected to perform in your work
Example Sentences:Have you finished writing the job description for this new position?
According to my job description, I’m not responsible for old accounts.
 

TO BE FIRED  

30 Aug 2012

phrase

  • To be removed from your job, either because you have done something wrong or badly
Example Sentences:Jennifer was fired for repeatedly being late for work.
Jeff was fired for his poor performance.
 

CAREER BREAK /kəˈrɪər breɪk/

29 Aug 2012

phrase

  • a period of time when one chooses not to have a job, for example because they want to travel or look after their children
Example Sentences:Susan is taking a career break in order to take care of her young children.
I’m taking a career break so I can travel around the world.
 

TO HAND IN ONE’S RESIGNATION  

28 Aug 2012

phrase

  • to inform your employer in writing that you wish to leave your job
Example Sentences:I handed in my resignation this morning to my manager.
When a head hunter approached me about another job, I immediately handed in my resignation.
 

PENSION /ˈpent .ʃən/

27 Aug 2012

noun

  • a sum of money paid regularly by the government or a private company to a person who does not work any more because they are too old or they have become ill
Example Sentences:They find it difficult to live on their government pension.
I’m glad I took out a private pension when I was young.
 

TO TAKE EARLY RETIREMENT  

26 Aug 2012

phrase

  • If you take early retirement, you stop working before the normal retirement age and generally receive your company pension (all or part of it) early.
Example Sentences:He was a stockbroker for 10 years and is now taking early retirement at the age of 40!
If I’m lucky the company will offer me early retirement.
 

RETIREMENT /rɪˈtaɪə.mənt/

25 Aug 2012

noun

  • when you leave your job and stop working, usually because you are old
Example Sentences:The retirement age for men in the UK is 65.
We wish you a long and happy retirement.
 
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