Generic Workplace Vocabulary With Pronunciation Asset Skills

Generic Workplace Vocabulary
Background
These materials have been developed with the support of funding from the Department for Universities, Industry and Skills
(DIUS), and are designed to complement the learning programmes for the ESOL for Work qualifications and other ESOL
qualifications that are delivered in a workplace setting.
Introduction
This vocabulary list is designed to help those who are learning English to better understand some of the specific work terms,
jargon, acronyms and abbreviations that they may come across in the workplace.
The list includes a brief explanation of each words or term and has been formatted to be used like a “workbook” so that users
can add their own notes either on an electronic version or on a printed copy.
In addition, the list includes guidance on pronunciation, which follows the “spelled pronunciation” style. Syllables are separated
by hyphens and bold type indicates the primary stressed syllable, for example:
newspaper [nooz-pey-per]
information [in-fer-mey-shuh n]
A full explanation of the sounds is shown on the following page.
Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 1 of 23

Key to Spelled Pronunication
CONSONANTS VOWELS FOREIGN SOUNDS

[b] boy, baby, rob [a] apple, can, hat [A] Fr. ami
[d] do, ladder, bed [ey] aid, hate, day [KH] Scot. loch, Ger. ach or ich
[f] food, offer, safe [ah] arm, father, aha [œ] Fr. feu, Ger. schön
[g] get, bigger, dog [air] air, careful, wear [R] Fr. au revoir, Yiddish rebbe
[h] happy, ahead [aw] all, or, talk, lost, saw [uh] Fr. oeuvre
[j] jump, budget, age [e] ever, head, get [Y] Fr. tu, Ger. über
[k] can, speaker, stick [ee] eat, see, need
[l] let, follow, still [eer] ear, hero, beer
[m] make, summer, time [er] teacher, afterward, murderer
[n] no, dinner, thin [i] it, big, finishes
[ng] singer, think, long [ahy] I, ice, hide, deny
[p] put, apple, cup [o] odd, hot, waffle
[r] run, marry, far, store [oh] owe, road, below
[s] sit, city, passing, face [oo] ooze, food, soup, sue
[sh] she, station, push [oo] good, book, put
[t] top, better, cat [oi] oil, choice, toy
church, watching, nature, [ou] out, loud, how
[ch]
witch [uh] up, mother, mud
[th] thirsty, nothing, maths about, animal, problem,
[uh]
[th] this, mother, breathe circus
[v] very, seven, love [ur] early, bird, stirring
[w] wear, away
[hw] where, somewhat
[y] yes, onion
[z] zoo, easy, buzz
[zh] measure, television, beige

Generic Workplace Vocabulary
Word Pronunciation Definition Translation/Notes
Aa
Accident Book ak-si-duh nt boo k A book that must be provided in

every workplace by the employer in
which all workplace accidents must
be recorded.
Agency worker ey-juh n-see wur-ker A worker engaged through, or by, an
employment agency or bureau and
supplied to a hiring employer on a
temporary basis.
Annual leave an-yoo-uh l leev Paid time off from work, calculated
yearly. Also holiday or vacation.
Application form ap-li-key-shuh n fawrm Form used in the recruitment process
to enable a job candidate to supply
information about qualifications,
skills, and experience.
Appraisal uh-prey-zuh l A review of the standard and
efficiency of the work completed by
an employee.
Arbitration ahr-bi-trey-shuh n Procedure for resolving disputes
using one or more neutral third
parties.
ASAP ey-sap As soon as possible
Assembly point uh-sem-blee point A designated place to wait after
evacuating a building in an
emergency of any kind.

Bb
Benefits ben-uh-fits Such as life insurance, company car,

free parking or free meals.
Bonus boh-nuh s Additional pay. Also incentive or
reward.
Budget buhj-it An itemised allotment of funds, time,
etc, for a given period.
Cc
Clock in/clock out Klok in/Klok out To begin work or finish work,
especially by punching a time clock.
Colleague kol-eeg Someone else employed by your
employer.
Company kuhm-puh-nee A group of people who work together
to make goods or deliver a service.
Also firm or organisation.
Contract of kon-trakt ov em-ploi- An agreement enforceable by law
Employment muh nt reached between two parties.
COSHH kosh Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health. The legislation is designed to
protect people from ill health caused
by exposure to harmful substances.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) kuh-rik-yuh-luh m vee- Summary of work experience and
tahy education. Also Résumé.

Dd
Database dey-tuh-beys A system to store organised

information about products,
customers, staff, etc.
Disciplinary Procedure dis-uh-pluh-ner-ee Written, step-by-step process which a
pruh-see-jer firm follows in every case where an
employee has to be warned,
reprimanded, or dismissed.
Discrimination di-skrim-uh-ney-shuh n Unfair treatment of an individual or
group on the basis of race, creed,
disability, gender or sexuality.
Dismiss dis-mis To remove from employment. Also
sack.
Diversity di-vur-si-tee In the workplace, diversity is about
the recognition and valuing of
difference in its broadest sense. It is
about creating a culture and working
practices that recognise, respect,
value and harness differences for the
benefit of the organisation and
individual.
DoB Date of Birth.
Duties dyoo-tees A service, function, or task assigned
to an employee (also responsibilities)

Ee
Employee em-ploi-ee Person who works for a firm or

company. Also staff or worker.
Employee Number em-ploi-ee nuhm-ber Or staff number – your personal
number in your work place.
Employer em-ploi-er Person or firm who employ people. A
group of people who work together to
make goods or deliver a service. Also
company or firm.
Entitlement en-tahy-tl-muh nt A right (or benefit) granted by law or
contract.
Equality i-kwol-i-tee In the workplace, equality is about
creating a fairer society where
everyone can participate and has the
opportunity to fulfill their potential. It
is backed up by legislation designed
to address unfair discrimination.
Equal Opportunities ee-kwuh l A policy adopted by an organisation
op-er- tyoo -ni-tees guaranteeing equality of treatment
and opportunity for people regardless
of race, creed, disability, gender or
sexuality.
Expenses ik-spens - ez Costs incurred by an employee in the
performance of duties such as travel
to meetings.

Ff
FAQ ef-ey-kyoo Frequently Asked Questions

Fire fahyuh r To remove from employment. Also
dismiss or sack.
First Aid Furst eyd Emergency aid or treatment given to
someone injured, suddenly ill, etc.,
before regular medical services arrive
or can be reached.
Fixed Term Fikst turm Contracts which operate for a fixed
term only, whereupon they terminate
automatically.
Flexitime flek-si-tahym A variable work schedule, typically
with a core period of the day when
employees are expected to be at
work, whilst the rest of the working
day is “flexitime”, in which employees
can choose when they work, subject
to achieving total daily, weekly or
monthly hours in the region of what
the employer expects, and subject to
the necessary work being done.
Firm Furm A group of people who work together
Also company or organisation.
Full time foo l tahym Employed for a standard number of
working hours per week.

Gg
Grievance Procedure gree-vuh ns An arrangement for dealing with

pruh-see-jer individual concerns about practice or
conduct in the workplace, such as
bullying or harassment or racial
discrimination, or appeals against
decisions on promotion or, in some
cases, appraisal marks.
Gross Pay Grohs pey Money before any deductions
(tax/National Insurance).
Hh
HMRC Her Majesty’s Revenue and

Customs, who are responsible for
collecting income tax/national
insurance on behalf of the
government in England.
Hand in notice hand in noh-tis Leave a job voluntarily by giving
notice of intention to leave. Also
notice or resign.

Health and Safety Helth uh nd seyf-tee A policy to protect the safety, health
Policy pol-uh-see and welfare of people engaged in
work or employment. As a
secondary effect, it may also protect
co-workers, family members,
employers, customers, suppliers,
nearby communities, and other
members of the public who are
impacted by the workplace
environment.
Holiday hol-i-dey Paid time off from work, usually
calculated yearly. Also annual leave
or vacation.
Human resources hyoo-muh n ree-zawrs- The team focused on activities
es relating employees, such as
recruiting new employees,
inductions, training and employee
benefits. Also personnel.
Ii
Incentive in-sen-tiv Additional pay. Also bonus or

reward.
Income in-kuhm Money paid to an employee (could
be quoted on hourly, weekly, monthly
or annually/yearly). Also pay or
wage.

Income tax in-kuhm taks Tax on the money you earn, which
goes to the government for roads,
schools, armed forces, etc. Also
called tax.
Induction in-duhk-shuh n A process of introduction into a new
job or company.
Interview in-ter-vyoo Formal meeting to evaluate an
applicant for employment
Jj
Job job Regular activity performed in

exchange for payment. Also trade,
occupation, or profession.
Job description job di-skrip-shuh n Explanation of the duties associated
with a specific job title.
Job title job tahyt-l Describes the function and level of a
job.
Kk
KPI Kay-pee-aye Key performance indicators:

quantifiable measurements, agreed
to beforehand, that reflect the critical
success factors (of the company,
department, project.).
Keyboard kee-bohrd A set of keys, usually arranged in
tiers, for operating computer.

Ll
Lay off Ley of To terminate the employment of a

worker. See also redundancy.
Line manager lahyn man-i-jer An employee’s immediate superior,
who oversees and has responsibility
for the employee’s work.
Lieu days loo deys Days granted as leave in the place of
extra payments for such things as
overtime. Also TOIL.
Mm
Mandatory man-duh-tohr-ee Required or obligatory, such as

specific qualifications or training.
Manual handling man-yoo-uh l hand-ling Any transporting or supporting of a
load (including the lifting, putting
down, pushing, pulling, carrying or
moving thereof) by hand or by bodily
force.
Maternity leave muh-tur-ni-tee leev Period of absence for female
employees when having a baby.
Memo mem-oh A written record or communication.
memorandum mem-uh-ran-duh m

Minimum Wage min-uh-muh m weyj Most adults working in the UK are

entitled to the Minimum Wage.
From 1 October 2008:

• £5.73 per hour for workers
aged 22 years and older
• A development rate of £4.77
per hour for workers aged 18-
21 inclusive
• £3.53 per hour for all workers
under the age of 18, who are
no longer of compulsory
school age
The daily rate of the accommodation
offset is £4.46 (£31.22 per week) for
each day that accommodation is
provided.
The Minimum Wage rate is set

annually, check www.direct.gov.uk
for latest information.
Moonlighting moon-lahyt-ing Undertaking a second job, often for
cash and in the evenings, in addition
to a full-time permanent job.

Nn
National Health nash-uh-nl helth National Health Service (NHS)

National Insurance nash-uh-nl Money for National Health and Social
in-shoo r-uh ns Security benefits
NB en-bee (Note bene), please note
Net pay Net pey The pay/wage you actually receive
Notice noh-tis Advance warning of intention to leave
a job. Also hand in notice or
resign.
Oo
Occupation ok-yuh-pey-shuh n Regular activity performed in

exchange for payment. Also job,
trade, or profession.
Organisation awr-guh-nuh-zey-shuh n A group of people who work together

Also company or firm.
Overalls oh-ver-awlz A loose-fitting outer garment worn
over regular clothing as protection
from dirt.
Also protective clothing.
Overtime oh-ver-tahym The amount of time someone works
beyond normal working hours.

Pp
P11D A form filed with the tax office by UK

employers for each director and for
each employee earning over £8500
per year. A copy is also given to the
employees as it may be required to
complete a self-assessment tax
return.
P45 Form that is given to an employee
when they end their employment. It
gives details of income for social
security and tax purposes for the
current financial year.
P60 In the UK, it details a taxpayer’s
taxable income and deductions made
by PAYE (both for tax and National
Insurance contributions) for that year.
PPE Personal Protective Equipment which
includes all forms of protective
equipment not just clothing such as
eye and ear protection.
Part time Pahrt tahym Employed for less than standard
number of working hours per week.
Paternity leave puh-tur-ni-tee leev Period of absence for male
employees when wife/partner has a
baby.

Pay pey Money paid to an employee (could

or annually/yearly). Also wage or
income.
Pay slip Pey slip A note that records how much money
you have earned and how much tax,
national insurance and pension has
been taken out.
PAYE Pay As You Earn is the system that
HMRC uses to collect Income Tax
and National Insurance contributions
(NICs) from employees’ pay as you
earn it.
Per annum (pa) per an-uh m Yearly/annual.
Personnel pur-suh-nel The team focused on activities
relating employees, such as
recruiting new employees,
inductions, training and employee
benefits. Also Human Resources.
Pension pen-shuh n Post-retirement benefits that an
employee might receive from some
employers (and/or the State).
Petty cash pet-ee kash A small fund of cash for the payment
of incidental expenses.
Piece work Pees wurk When workers are paid by the piece
they make or complete (common in
sewing and manufacturing).

Probationary period proh-bey-shuh n A set length of time in the early

peer-ee-uh d weeks/months of employment during
which the employer monitors and
appraises an employee to ensure the
required standards of conduct and
performance are being reached. At
the end of the period the employer
will decide whether to offer a
permanent position. It is also a
chance for the employee to decide
whether the job is right for them.
Production line pruh-duhk-shuh n lahyn Assembly line where a number of

people or machines perform separate
tasks to make a product.
Profession pruh-fesh-uh n Work or business activity performed
in exchange for payment. Also job,
occupation, trade or vocation.
Promotion pruh-moh-shuh n Advancement in rank or position in a

company.
Prospects pros-pektz Opportunities for success or
promotion at work
Protective clothing pros-pekt kloh-th ing Special clothing designed to be worn
in the workplace to protect against
hazards such as heat, chemicals and
infection. See also overalls.

Qq
Qualification kwol-uh-fi-key-shuh n A certified achievement that fits a

person for some function or activity.
See also vocational qualification.
Rr
Red tape Red teyp Excessive paperwork or bureaucracy.

Redundancy ri-duhn-duh n-see When employees are laid off on a
permanent basis because their work
is no longer required by the company
due to economic, technological or
other reasons. See also lay off.
Reference ref-ruh ns Statement of facts and opinions
concerning the qualifications, skills,
capabilities, personal qualities,
conduct, and attitudes of a person in
relation to work.
Resign ree-sahyn Leave a job voluntarily by giving
notice of intention to leave. Also
hand in notice or notice.
Rest break Rest breyk Period of time during the working day
when an employee is allowed to be
away from their workstation for a rest
or meal break.

Résumé rez-oo-mey Summary of work experience and

education. Also CV or curriculum
vitae.
Retire ri-tahyuh r When a person stops work, often
because of their age.
Reward ri-wawrd Additional pay. Also bonus or
incentive.
Risk assessment Risk uh-ses-muh nt The identification and assessment of
hazards to help an organisation
prevent accidents and ill health.
Rota roh-tuh A rotation or list of people
undertaking a duty or area of work.
Ss
Sack sak To remove from employment. Also

dismiss or fire.
Salary sal-uh-ree Fixed regular payment (usually
monthly) made by employer to
employee.
Schedule shed-yool A plan of the times when a job or
activity should be done. Also
timetable.

Shift work Shift wurk A period of work, which is performed

outside of what is considered to be
the normal working period. Common
where a organisation operates 24
hours a day or longer than standard
working day (factories, hotels,
restaurants, hospitals, shops, etc).
Sick day Sik dey Absence from work because of
illness.
Sick leave Sik leev Paid official absence from work
granted to employees when they are
ill.
Signing In Book Sahyn-ing in boo k Register kept at point of entry to a
workplace to record which staff (and
visitors) are on the premises.
Spreadsheet spred-sheet A document that stores data in a grid
of rows and columns which allows
the data to be analysed using
formulas and calculations.
Staff stahf Person who works for a firm or
company. Also employee or worker.
Staff Handbook Stahf hand-boo k Provides guidelines and procedures
in relation to staff. Also Staff
Manual.
Staff Manual Stahf man-yoo-uh l Provides guidelines and procedures
in relation to staff. Also Staff
Handbook.
Strike Strahyk To stop work as industrial action in
protest against something.

Supervisor soo-per-vahy-zer An employee who is given authority

and responsibility for planning and
controlling the work of a group
through close contact.
Tt
Targets tahr-gits Numerical benchmarks for planning

progress towards a goal.
Tax taks Money for the government for roads,
schools, armed forces, etc. Also
called income tax.
Tax code Taks kohd The number that shows how much
tax you will pay.
Tax year Taks yeer The 12 month period commencing 6th
April and ending 5th April the
following year.
Timetable tahym-tey-buh l A plan of the times when a job or
activity should be done. Also
schedule.
TOIL toil Time off in lieu: leave given to
compensate an employee for
additional hours worked. It is often
given instead of a payment for
overtime. Also Lieu days.
Trade treyd Regular activity performed in
exchange for payment. Also job,
occupation, or profession.

Trade Union Treyd yoon-yuh n A society of workers formed to

protect and improve their working
conditions, pay, etc.
Training course trey-ning kohrs A course of study to prepare for work.
Uu
Unemployment Benefit uhn-em-ploi-muh nt Money paid by the State to an

ben-uh-fit unemployed person (Job Seekers’
Allowance).
Unfair dismissal uhn-fair dis-mis-uh l Legal term for a dismissal carried out
for no good reason or without going
through an agreed company
procedure for dismissals.
Uniform yoo-nuh-fawrm A set of standard clothing worn by
members of an organisation while
participating in that organisation’s
activity – for example armed
services, nursing, soldiers and retail,
hotel or catering staff.
Union Learning Rep yoon-yuh n lur-ning A union activist who advises on
rep learning needs and opportunities.

Vv
Vacation vey-key-shuh n Paid time off from work, usually

calculated yearly. Also annual leave
or holiday.
Verbal warning vur-buh l wawr-ning A formal warning given to an
employee to correct areas of
unsatisfactory work performance and
to clarify work rules and policy – the
first stage of the disciplinary
procedure.
Vocation voh-key-shuh n A particular workplace activity. Also
occupation, profession or trade.
Vocational qualification voh-key-shuh-nl An award or certificate to show
kwol-uh-fi-key-shuh n competence in a trade or
occupational area.
Ww
Wage weyj Money paid to an employee (could

or annually/yearly). Also pay or
income.
Whistleblower wis-uh l-bloh-er Someone who reveals wrong doing
within an organisation to the public or
to those in positions of authority.

Wordprocessing Wurd-proh-ses-ing Computer- based text and document

creation tool with editing and
formatting functions.
Worker wur-ker Person who works for a firm or
company. Also staff or worker.
Written warning rit-n wawr-ning If behaviour has not improved after
the formal verbal warning then the
next stage is a letter outlining the
behaviour to be improved and
actions that will be taken if this does
not happen. New legislation in place
from 6 April 2009.
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Generic Workplace Vocabulary

A full explanation of the sounds is shown on the following page.

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 1 of 23

CONSONANTS VOWELS FOREIGN SOUNDS

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 2 of 23

Word Pronunciation Definition Translation/Notes

Accident Book ak-si-duh nt boo k A book that must be provided in

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Benefits ben-uh-fits Such as life insurance, company car,

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Database dey-tuh-beys A system to store organised

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 5 of 23

Employee em-ploi-ee Person who works for a firm or

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 6 of 23

FAQ ef-ey-kyoo Frequently Asked Questions

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 7 of 23

Grievance Procedure gree-vuh ns An arrangement for dealing with

HMRC Her Majesty’s Revenue and

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 8 of 23

Incentive in-sen-tiv Additional pay. Also bonus or

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 9 of 23

Job job Regular activity performed in

KPI Kay-pee-aye Key performance indicators:

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Lay off Ley of To terminate the employment of a

Mandatory man-duh-tohr-ee Required or obligatory, such as

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 11 of 23

Minimum Wage min-uh-muh m weyj Most adults working in the UK are

From 1 October 2008:

The Minimum Wage rate is set

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National Health nash-uh-nl helth National Health Service (NHS)

Occupation ok-yuh-pey-shuh n Regular activity performed in

Organisation awr-guh-nuh-zey-shuh n A group of people who work together

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 13 of 23

P11D A form filed with the tax office by UK

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Pay pey Money paid to an employee (could

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 15 of 23

Probationary period proh-bey-shuh n A set length of time in the early

Production line pruh-duhk-shuh n lahyn Assembly line where a number of

Promotion pruh-moh-shuh n Advancement in rank or position in a

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 16 of 23

Qualification kwol-uh-fi-key-shuh n A certified achievement that fits a

Red tape Red teyp Excessive paperwork or bureaucracy.

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Résumé rez-oo-mey Summary of work experience and

Sack sak To remove from employment. Also

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc Page 18 of 23

Shift work Shift wurk A period of work, which is performed

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Supervisor soo-per-vahy-zer An employee who is given authority

Targets tahr-gits Numerical benchmarks for planning

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Trade Union Treyd yoon-yuh n A society of workers formed to

Unemployment Benefit uhn-em-ploi-muh nt Money paid by the State to an

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Vacation vey-key-shuh n Paid time off from work, usually

Wage weyj Money paid to an employee (could

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Wordprocessing Wurd-proh-ses-ing Computer- based text and document

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