1.            Do you know people like that in the office -

○           刷鞋仔: Apple polisher / yes man

                There are also colleagues who just can’t say no.

○           People may take advantage of you if you are too nice.

 

2.            Instead of saying “no”, what can we say? (useful on emails as well)

○           I regret to inform you…（that we cannot accommodate 迁就/容纳 your request）

○           I am afraid I cannot…(offer you a refund on this product)

○           Unfortunately, due to circumstances, we cannot …(deliver the product to you on time)

 

3.            Sometimes, it’s not good to just say ‘no!’ Instead you can give them alternatives:

●           I am sorry that hasn’t worked out, what we can do is…(offer you compensation 补偿)

●           I can understand your point of view, how about we do this instead.

●           You’ve made some valid 有效 points, perhaps we can compromise 妥协 and…….

(The security system has been compromised. 保安系统已被破坏)

●           I agree with you, but can we add…(more staff to help out at the event)

 

4.            How to politely chase someone for their work

●           Is there any chance that you can get it done sooner?

●           Where are you on this project?

●           I don’t mean to rush you but the client has been chasing me. 唔洗急最紧要快 (chase - 追赶)

●           I would just like to follow up on the progress. (US and UK pronunciation)

 

5.            Different work personality types.

●           The Driver; data and results-minded person. Someone who is decisive 决定性，focused and wants to try new things.

●           The Integrator; someone who builds relationships and boosts morale 鼓舞士气. Someone who is diplomatic 懂得外交 and empathetic 善解人意.

●           The Guardian; someone who maintains structure 保持结构 and order. It is someone who is reserved 含蓄, but they are methodical 有方法的 and detailed oriented 做事细心仔细.

●           The Pioneer; a risk-taker 冒险者. These people are often leaders, they are outgoing, they see the bigger picture, and are confident.

 

Work-life balance

 

Westernized companies might have a better emphasis on work-life balance.

●       They would allow flextime 自由工作时间.  You can choose your work hours.

●       WFH.

○        I think because of Covid and technology, it has changed the way we work and has allowed us, the employees, to spend more time at home.

■        A lot of big companies are downsizing  (downsize - (使)减员) their offices.

■        A lot of companies offer a hybrid model 混合模式 of working from home 1-2 days and then at the office for the rest of the week.

●       Countries such as the UK, Belgium, and many Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway and Sweden, etc.) are implementing 实施 a 4-day work week.

●       New World HK has also implemented a 4.5 half-day work week.

 

Studies show that working longer hours doesn’t make you more productive. 

●       The ideal number of hours you should work per week is 38-hours according to Denmark, consistently one of the happiest countries in the world. Studies have also shown you should take 6 weeks off per year to obtain optimal 最佳 happiness.

●       Studies in Iceland also show that you are 13% more productive when you are happy.

●       Americans are not taking half of their vacation days. Studies have shown that  ⅔ of Americans even work on their holidays.

●       The World Health Organisation said that if you work on average of 55 hours or more each week, you increase the risk of stroke by 35%, and the risk of dying from heart disease by 17%, compared to people who only work on average 35-40 hours per week.