B_Level 3 - Unit 2 - Issues in the Workplace

Unit 2 - Issues in the workplace

Warm-up Activity: How Companies Go Green

🌱 How ESG Investing Works ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing — also known as sustainable or responsible investing — focuses on companies that care about the planet, people, and transparency. Investors use ESG criteria to support businesses that act responsibly and make a positive impact. 🌍 E – Environmental Looks at how a company protects the environment: Energy use and emissions Waste management Natural resource conservation Compliance with environmental laws

🤝 S – Social Focuses on how a company treats people:

• Diversity and inclusion
• Employee well-being and safety
• Community involvement and donations
• Respect for human rights

🏛️ G – Governance

• Evaluates how a company is managed:

• Transparency and ethical leadership

• Fair board composition

• Accountability to shareholders

• Avoiding corruption or conflicts of interest

💼 Why It Matters Companies that follow ESG principles build trust, attract investors, and contribute to a better society. As of 2024, global ESG investments reached $3.2 trillion, showing strong growth and interest worldwide. 🔄 ESG vs. Sustainability ESG looks at how companies make responsible decisions. Sustainability focuses on the impact of those decisions on the planet and society.

✅ Bottom Line ESG investing supports companies that aim for profit and positive change — protecting the environment, respecting people, and promoting honest governance.

Activity: Beyond the Bottom Line Discuss all the questions in small groups. Then, choose three and give detailed answers with clear explanations and real examples.

1.Profit vs. Purpose: If a company must choose between higher profits and protecting the environment, what should come first — and why? (Can real success exist without social or environmental responsibility?) 2.Sincerity or Strategy? When companies promote “green” actions, do you believe they truly care, or are they just trying to improve their public image? (How can we tell the difference between real change and “greenwashing”?)

3.Balance of Priorities:Is it possible for a company to treat employees fairly, reduce pollution, and still compete globally? (Which area — environmental, social, or governance — tends to be sacrificed first when pressure increases?) 4.Responsibility Chain: Who should lead the change toward sustainability — governments, corporations, or consumers? (What happens if one of them fails to take action?)

Inside the Green Image - Mini presentation

1.Work in groups of 3–4. 2.Choose one company you know (local or international). Examples: Nike, Starbucks, Apple, Ecopetrol, Bancolombia, etc. 3.Investigate briefly (using your phone or prior knowledge) what the company does regarding environmental, social, or governance issues.

• You can look at:

• Their official website or sustainability report

• Recent news articles

• Social media campaigns

4.Prepare a mini presentation (2 -3 minutes) with these points:

• Company name and what it does

• One example of an environmental action

• One example of a social or governance action

• Your opinion: Is the company truly sustainable, or is it “greenwashing”? Why?

4.Prepare a mini presentation (2 -3 minutes) with these points:

• Company name and what it does

• One example of an environmental action

• One example of a social or governance action

• Your opinion: Is the company truly sustainable, or is it “greenwashing”? Why?

Workplace Ergonomics

Workplace Ergonomics — The Ergo Audit Challenge

Objective: Students learn workplace ergonomics vocabulary, practise discussing problems and solutions, and give a short professional mini-presentation with recommendations.

Step 1 — Find Your Pictures Work in groups of 4. Find 3 different pictures that show people working (office, factory, café, etc.). Make sure at least one shows bad posture or unsafe desk setup. Save or print them to use for your analysis. 💡 Tip: Choose different types of workplaces so your group can compare.

Step 2 — Group Audit Use the Ergo Audit Worksheet for your analysis. Look carefully at your 3 pictures. As a group, identify at least 4 total problems (from one or more pictures). For each problem, write in the table: Problem (short phrase) – e.g., low monitor, no wrist rest Why it’s a problem – short explanation of risk or discomfort Suggested fix – short and practical solution

Assign roles quickly : Inspector: leads and fills out the worksheet Speaker: prepares what to say Designer: makes the poster or slide Editor: checks the English and helps summarize Step 3 — Create Your Poster or Slide Make one page or slide with visuals. Include your Top 3 fixes from your worksheet. You can add arrows or labels on the pictures to show the problems. Write short notes only — no long sentences.

Step 4 — Present Your Findings (8–10 min) Each group presents for 2 minutes. Use professional, clear English. Speak as if you are talking to the office manager. Use these sentence starters: “We noticed that ___ causes ___.” “A quick fix is ___ because ___.” “We recommend doing this beacuse ___.” “This will reduce ___ and improve ___.”

Writing an Internal Job Application Email

Topic: Applying for an Internal Job Position Level: Intermediate – Business English Skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking

Useful Expressions by Section - Internal Job Application Email

Instructions : 1. Read Carla’s email carefully. 2. Label each of these sections:

• Subject line
• Greeting (Salutation)
• Introduction (Reason for writing)
• Body (Experience, skills, achievements)
• Closing paragraph (Next steps + appreciation)
• Signature

Discussion Questions: Why is each part important in a professional email? What makes her email sound confident and polite?

Writing Practice – “Your Turn to Apply” Objective: Write your own internal job application email. Instructions : Imagine you already work in a company. Choose an internal position you’d like to apply for (e.g., Project Assistant, HR Coordinator, Sales Analyst). Write a short internal job application email (120–150 words). Follow the same structure as Carla’s email.

Instructions continue on the next slide

Include:

• Reason for writing

• Your current role and experience

• Relevant skills or achievements

• What you hope to contribute in the new position

• A polite closing

Tip: Keep the tone professional, positive, and confident.

Vocabulary