The Office - Asking For A Raise (C0188)

A:

Excuse me sir, may I talk to you?

B:

Bill! Sure, come on in. What can I do for you?

A:

Well sir, as you know, I have been an employee of this prestigious firm for over ten years.

B:

Yes.

A:

I won't beat around the bush. Sir, I would like a raise. I currently have three companies after me and so I decided to talk to you first.

B:

A raise? Son, I would love to give you a raise, but this is just not the right time.

A:

I understand your position, and I know that the current economic downturn has had a negative impact on sales, but you must also take into consideration my hard work, pro-activeness and loyalty to this company for over a decade.

B:

Taking into account these factors, and considering I don't want to start a brain drain, I'm willing to offer you a ten percent raise and an extra five days of vacation time. How does that sound?

A:

Great! It's a deal! Thank you, sir!

B:

Before you go, just out of curiosity, what companies were after you?

A:

Oh, the electric company, gas company and water company!

Key Vocabulary

beat around the bush

avoid the subject by talking about something else

raise

increase in salary

take into consideration

to think about something before making a decision

offer

give with the choice of accepting or rejecting

loyalty

the quality of being loyal

Supplementary Vocabulary

to demand

to request forcefully

to move up the ladder

to receive a promotion at work

promotion

an offer of a better position at the same company

demotion

being asked to do a less important job at the same company

initiative

deciding to take the first step; making a decision on one's own

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