a Machine Problems
¨ Do you know what’s wrong with the printer?
¨ Who do we call to report a problem with the printer?
¨ When is the printer going to be fixed?
¨ The printer next to the break room is broken. Where is the other printer?
¨ The copy machine is jammed again.
¨ We need to get the copy machine fixed.
¨ A technician is coming this afternoon to fix the copy machine.
¨ Where is the paper for the copy machine?
¨ We need to order more paper. We’re running low.
b Mail Room
¨ I don’t have a mail box. Who should I contact to get one?
¨ Your mail box was pretty full. You should go pick them up.
¨ I haven’t checked my mail in 2 weeks.
¨ I never receive anything so I don’t need to check my mail often.
¨ What time does the delivery person usually come?
¨ What time does the mail usually come?
¨ I can send it to you through Inter Office mail.
¨ I’ll send it through Inter Office mail immediately.
¨ I need those documents. Can you IO it to me?
¨ Would you like to pick them up or should I send it through Inter Office mail?
c Requesting Equipment
¨ I’m out of staples. Do we have any more in the supply room?
¨ The supply room is running low on pens. I think we should get more.
¨ I would like an ergonomic keyboard. I can type much faster with those.
¨ Can I get a new chair? This one is so uncomfortable.
d Company Policies
¨ How long are we allowed for lunch?
¨ How long is our lunch break?
¨ If I only take a 30 minute lunch, can I leave 30 minutes earlier?
¨ What time should I report to work?
¨ Is there a strict policy on working hours?
¨ Are we allowed to start work an hour later if we work an hour more?
¨ What is the dress code here?
¨ Are we allowed to wear casual clothes on Friday?
¨ Does this company have the casual Friday thing?
¨ If I have ten vacation days, am I allowed to use them all at once?
¨ What holidays do we have off?
¨ Do our vacation days expire?
¨ Does this company allow telecommuting?
¨ Are we allowed to work from home?
e I’m Busy
¨ Does this have to be done now?
¨ I’m not going to have time for any other assignment until Thursday.
¨ I’ll try to free up my schedule.
¨ I’m pretty sure I can meet the deadline.
¨ If I don’t get any help on this, I won’t be able to complete it on time.
¨ I’ll do whatever I can do make sure this is done on time.
f Giving/Asking Business Cards
¨ Do you have a business card?
¨ Could I have one of your business cards?
¨ Can I have your business card?
¨ Can I get your phone number or email address?
¨ What is the best way to contact you?
¨ Can I get your contact information?
¨ Let me give you one of my business cards.
¨ My contact information is on my business card. Let me give you one.
¨ You can reach me by calling the number on my business card.
¨ My email address is on my business card.
g General Office
¨ Do you know where the ABC file is at?
¨ Is anybody using the ABC file right now?
¨ Did you check the file cabinet? It should be there.
¨ Check the bin. Sometimes people throw it in there after they are done.
¨ Oh… it’s in my desk. I forgot to put it back.
¨ It’s in my office. I’ll get it for you.
¨ Are using this book right now?
¨ Are you finished with this file?
¨ Are you done with this report?
¨ Do you have an extra mouse? Mine broke.
¨ Do you have another network cable? The one I have is too short.
¨ Do you have a blank floppy disk I can have?
¨ I ran out of labels. Do you have any I can have?
¨ Do you have a staple remover by any chance?
h Office Basics – Interactive Practice
¨ A: “I can’t get the printer to work.”
B: “Did you check to see if it had paper?”
A: “Yeah. That’s the first thing I checked.”
B: “I don’t know then. You might have to call the technician.”
A: “How do I do that?”
B: “Just tell the admin and she should take care of it.”
A: “Is there another printer that I can use?”
B: “Yeah. There’s one down the hall next to the supply room.”
A: “Oh yeah… I remember that one. Thanks.”
B: “No problem.”
¨ A: “Do you have a lot of work?”
B: “Yeah. I’m pretty busy. Why?”
A: “Oh. I needed some help on documenting this process.”
B: “Does this have to be done right now?”
A: “The manager wants it by Friday.”
B: “I’ll try to free up my schedule. Remind me again tomorrow morning, and I’ll help you in the afternoon.”
A: “Do you need to read the documents first?”
B: “Yeah. That would help.”
A: “I’ll print you a copy and then drop them off.”
B: “Make sure you drop it off before five because I have to leave early.”
A: “No problem. Thanks.”
¨ A: “Are you new here?”
B: “Yeah. I just started yesterday.”
A: “Welcome aboard. I’m Jack.”
B: “I’m Mark. Nice to meet you.”
A: “What are you going to be working on?”
B: “I’m going to work on the planning team. But I haven’t started yet. I’m still in training.”
A: “The planning team is great. Our marketing team works with them closely. We’ll end up working together sometimes.”
B: “That’s great. Oh, can I ask you some questions?”
A: “Sure.”
B: “Does this company have a casual Friday?”
A: “Not really. You can get away with wearing slacks, but I’ve never seen anyone wear jeans.”
B: “That’s alright. Do you know any good places to eat around here?”
A: “Yeah there’s a deli right across the street. They have fresh sandwiches and sometimes hot dishes like teriyaki. It’s pretty good.”
B: “That sounds good. Thanks for the info.”
A: “No problem. If you need anything, I sit right around the corner here.”
