BE 360: Busy or Bored? How to Talk About Workload in English
Business English from All Ears English
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What are some examples of industries with predictable busy seasons?
Industries like accounting (tax season), retail (holidays), tourism (summer and winter), and wedding photography (summer) have predictable busy seasons.
How can you describe a fluctuating workload in English?
You can use phrases like 'waxing and waning,' 'heavy or light workload,' or 'things are slow/busy' to describe fluctuating work activity.
Why might the medical field experience a busy season at the end of the year?
The medical field often gets busy at the end of the year because patients try to use their insurance deductibles before they reset, leading to a surge in appointments.
What phrase can you use to indicate you’ll reconnect after a busy period?
You can say, 'I’ll have to catch up with you when things calm down,' to indicate you’ll reconnect after a busy period.
How can you express that your workload is currently overwhelming?
You can say, 'I have a heavy workload right now, so I just can’t focus on anything else,' to express that your workload is overwhelming.
What does 'pick up' mean when discussing workload?
When discussing workload, 'pick up' means that work activity or pace is increasing, often used to express hope for more activity after a slow period.
- Workload fluctuates throughout the year and week depending on the industry and specific tasks.
- Different professions experience busy seasons differently; for example, tax season for accountants, holidays for retail, and summer for wedding photographers.
- Expressions to describe workload include "busy season," "this time of year is always...," "things are slow," and "heavy/light workload."
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