STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE

CAN THO UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ECONOMICS

BUSINESS ENGLISH 1
Chapter 5: STRESS
Topic: STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE


LECTURER: PHAM LAN ANH

School year: 2017-2018
GROUP 5: LIST OF TEAM MEMBERS
Name

Student
Code

Ordinal Name & Character
Numbe
rs
Huỳnh Thị Mỹ Tiên B1310999
2
Birgitte – Schedule
Coordinator
Lê Thị Cẩm Tú
B1507785
17
Juliana- Art Director
Nguyễn Xuân Phái B1507814
18
James- Account

Executive
Huỳnh Tấn Đạt
B1507834
19
Davies- CEO
Phạm Mỹ Duyên
B1607601
31
Linda- Asistant to
CEO
Lê Thị Bích Phượng B1607683
36
Jolanta- Asistant to
Art Director
INTRODUCE THE COMPANY
Davies-Miller is a large advertising agency on Madison Avenue
in New York. There is very strong competition in the US
advertising industry. Agencies compete to win new contracts or
take clients away from their rivals. Advertising staff are well
paid, but they work long hours. They worry about job security
and become anxious if their company loses an important client.
Recently, Davies-Miller lost two of its major account. This had a
significant effect on the employees. The agency decided to


carry out a survey of the staff’s opinions about their working
conditions.
This situation has 5 scenes:
Scene 1: The CEO talks to his assistant about business
Report

Scene 2: James talks Causes of Stress
Scene 3: Birgitte talks Causes of Stress
Scene 4: Juliana talks about Causes of Stress
Scene 5: Jolanta talks about Causes of Stress
Scene 6: Dealing with Stress
Scene 7: Get better results in job


Scene 1: The CEO talks to his assistant about Business
Report
Davies-CEO : Hello. I am director.
Linda: Hello. What do you call me?
Davies-CEO : Can you go up to my room now?
Linda: Yes. I will go to your room immediately.
5 minutes later
Linda: Director. I here.
Davies-CEO : Ok. Sit down please. In the past year, sales of
the company fell a lot compared to last year. You let report for
me about problems in our company.
Linda: Yes Director. Detail from quarters IV/2016 to quarters
IV/2017 production of commercials from 891 billions VND
dropped 764 billions, brand design from 897 billion VND
dropped 630 billion and communication from 901 billion VND
dropped 617 billion. Besides, our company has lost some
important contracts with partners because can not sign. Not
only that but also there are many customers complain about
the company’s services. Everything are delayed, staffs are


irritated, angry with their. Many loyal customers have left our

company.
Davies-CEO : Oh I see.. Can you help me find the cause?
Linda: Ok. I will answer for you soon.
Davies-CEO : Ok. Thanks. Good bye.


Scene 2: James with Causes of Stress
Linda : Hello. Can you tell me What happened?
James : My mood is very bad. The project I'm working on is
giving me a lot of stress. T had to work day and night. There is
no time to care for myself and my family. Even my wife would
like to leave me because I don’t spend much time with her.
Working all hours, including weekends, holidays and on Boxing
Day, spending time with his children was a rarity. I am under
pressure to work weekends when I would rather be at home
Linda: What else ?
James : And my work is increasing to sign the contract with
customer. I drank alcohol to improve mood but it made me even
worse. I’m invested a lot of time earning a customer’s trust and
goodwill. But as i approach the close, my customer suddenly
demanding a better deal, eager to plunder our company’s
margin and ride away with the profits. I'm really upset
Linda: And what do you want to do now?
James: Really, I need to rest in order to ease the pressure of
work. Would like to have time to relax, traveling with family .
Can you help me?
Linda: Yes. I will help you on the most recent meeting.
James: Thank you. Good bye
Linda: Bye!

Scene 3: Birgitte with Causes of Stress
Linda: Hello Birgitte, Have you been waiting long?
Birgitte: I just arrived. So I guess you looking for me to talk
about the trouble with our company in recent times, isn’t it?
Linda: Oh no. I just want to know something. You look very
tired. What's happen?
Birgitte: I work as a schedule coordinator. I regulates the flow
of work, coordinate scheduling and prepare cost estimates.
Recently, I get a lot of stress from work. My workload is already
sky high, taking on even more tasks mean I won't be able to
complete any of them to a high enough standard. And I have
too little time for too much work, which constrains me to work
way beyond my regular overtime. It causes stress and a lot of
pressure, it reduces our recovery time between workdays.
Linda: I know what you mean. Is there something else?
Birgitte: I have some problems. I am stress because I often
interrupted at work by visits from other members of staff. There
is too much gossiping in the office, which stops me from doing
my work. It is akin to a toxic virus that spreads and ultimately
weakens an organization's overall health, threatening our job
security, chances for career advancement and professional
happiness.
Linda: Ok. I can see that. How is your supervisor ? Does she
help you?
Birgitte: Oh. It seem like she doesn’t like me. My supervisor
favours certain members of staff and does not want to send me
on training courses. My boss loves to micro manage and I can’t
do my best work when she’s constantly breathing down my
neck. I am very sad, my efforts is meaningless. She refuses to

admit that she is wrong . She is constantly trying to cast her
image onto everything you do
Linda: I sympathize with you. I will talk with my director about
that problem. How do you get to work?
Birgitte: I get to work by car. I live a long way from work, it
takes 2 hours to go to work. Because of this, I get back home
very late and has no time to relax. No time for family, work


overload is one of the reasons why a week family vacation is
becoming a thing of the past.
Linda: Ok Birgitte, Let’s Take a break. I will look further into
your matter.
Birgitte: Thanks a lot for helping me !
Scene 4: Juliana with Causes of Stress
Linda: Hello Juliana. How do you feel today?
Juliana : I feel very tired and stressed.
Linda: What’s wrong with you?
Juliana: I’ve never been under such pressure in my work since I
joined the agency. I can’t seem to relax when I get back home.
Linda: Why are you tired of work? Do you have too many things
to solve?
Juliana: Yes. I spend all my time trying to meet impossible
deadlines to produce designs for the Account Executives. I have
no time to listen to the problem of my colleagues. The problem
is we’re competing for too many contracts, and I just don’t
understand the policy of the agency. But It won’t help to hire
more staff.
Linda: Dose the pressure on work affects your life?
Juliana: Yes. It affects a lot. Especially, I’m worried because the

situation is beginning to affect my health. Most of the creative
ideas in the agency come from me. Sometimes, I wonder if they
want me to leave and bring in someone younger.
Linda: Have you presented your problem to your supervisor?
Juliana: I sent a complaint letter to Head of HR. And I hope to
receive an answer soon from the agency.
Linda: I will present your problem to the director. Please come
to our meeting with us on this Sunday. You can raise your
expectation about work better.
Juliana: Yes.I really thank you for giving me the opportunity to
present my problem. I hope everything will be better.


Linda: Do not be too stressed. We are always listening to you.
Now continue your work.
Juliana: Ok. Thank you. See you on Sunday.
Linda: Ok. Bye


Scene 5: Jolanta with Causes of Stress
Linda: Hello Jolanta, How are you?
Jolanta: Hi, I’m good! Have a nice day!
Linda: Today, I come to your home to discuss our company’s
problem.
Jolanta: Ok! Can I help you?
Linda: Do you have any difficultly in work?
Jolanta: Yes! At present, I feel very tired.
Linda: Why do you feel tired?
Jolanta: Because, I have some problem and pressure in my
work.

Linda: Can you share with me?
Jolanta: Firstly, I have to feel very tired and feel not enough
energy for the next day. Secondly, the manager frequently
changed my work schedule so I did not adapt. The manager
assigns tasks in short time but requires too many things. Finally,
I don’t have much experience so I feel pressure in my work.
Linda: Oh no, I do not think you are under such pressure.
Jolanta: That right, I do not know how long I can endure.
Linda: How does it affect your life?
Jolanta: I’m always unhappy with family and with everyone.
Linda: Thanks you for share with me. I hope you no longer have
pressure.
Jolanta: Thanks you!
Linda: I have a job now so I have to go.
Jolanta: OK. Bye see you again.
Linda : Bye


Scene 6: Dealing with Stress
Davies-CEO: Hello everybody, let’s start meeting. The
assistant has reported to me about the situation that people are
having. And today I open this meeting to listen to your opinions.
Now, one by one, please raise your expectation.
Juliana: I would like the agency to recruit more staff to share
the work with us. Because we also need to spend time our
health and family.
Birgitte: I want to take a rest, I think you should reduce
employee’s hours of work, Improved workplace relationships
strengthen our business, team members who like and respect
each other may be more willing to collaborate for the

betterment of the project and the development of good
relationships in the workplace can increase employee morale.
Besides, I want to spent more time with my family, Many fulltime I spend more of my waking hours with co-workers than I do
with my families.
Jolanta: I would like the boss to open the training to improve
my skill to study and work more effectively. And every one
shares and supports each other. I would like to organize for staff
to travel in order to we relax and comfortable. After the trip we
have more energy to work.:
Davies-CEO : I have understood the wishes of everyone. The
company will try to create the best working environment for
you. I will provide reasonable work demands and manageable
work schedules. Programs designed to teach employees how to
implement effective coping strategies in the face of workplace
stress, including time management, conflict resolution,
relaxation and yoga. Under times of stress, a balanced diet,
exercise, and sound sleep can lay the foundation for effective
stress management. If you find that your workplace stress is too
much to handle on your own, seeking support from a trained
professional can be beneficial. They can help you to identify the
sources of your stress and develop strategies for dealing more
effectively with work-related stress.
I hope everyone will be positive changes in thinking as well as
in the action. This help our company grow stronger. Our
meeting here comes to an end. Thank you. Special, we will have


a tour together for us. Assistant will prepare. Have a good day!
Good bye

Scene 7: Get better results in job
Linda: Hello Sir. Yesterday I met and inquired about the work
and family of the staff. They are no longer stressful and have
worked very well. Moreover, they share with me that they can
spend more time to caring for their family than ever before.
This makes them feel great about their lives. And they are very
grateful to you. Because you have listened and solved the
problem of them.
Divies-CEO: Very good. I am happy that all the staff have
improved their problem. And I have some good news to inform
you. We have just signed a 10 billion contract with BM Media
Group. This is the opportunity for our company to grow stronger
and can earn huge profits. Please tell all ò ú that this weekend
we will have a party to celebrate this victory.
Linda: Congratulation. I’m going to inform everyone right now.
Have a nice day.
Davies-CEO: Thank you. You too!