20 Office Expressions to Describe Your Workplace - Visual Vocabulary

Summary

In this Oxford Online English lesson, Katie guides viewers through vocabulary related to office spaces and work environments. The video covers various office types, from open-plan spaces and cubicle farms to cramped and hot-desking situations. Viewers also learn about dress codes, meeting rooms, and different office facilities such as copy rooms and server rooms. Key terms like 'heavy-duty,' 'paperless office,' and 'tight security' are explained, along with the challenges of maintaining equipment like photocopiers. The video invites viewers to describe their own workplaces using the vocabulary shared in the lesson.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learn about different types of office spaces, such as open plan offices, cubicles, and personal offices.
• 😀 'Open plan' offices are large spaces without many separate rooms, often with cubicles.
• 😀 'Cubicle farms' refer to large office areas with many cubicles, usually with a negative connotation of being boring.
• 😀 'Cramped' describes a space with limited room to move around comfortably.
• 😀 Hot desking is a system where employees don’t have their own desk and share workspaces with others.
• 😀 Some offices have strict dress codes requiring employees to dress smartly or formally, while others are more casual.
• 😀 'Smart casual' is a dress code that is between formal and informal, like wearing a shirt and smart trousers without a tie.
• 😀 Offices often have different rooms such as meeting rooms, conference rooms, copy rooms, and staff rooms.
• 😀 A 'heavy-duty' photocopier or printer is built to handle a large amount of work without breaking down frequently.
• 😀 Some companies aim to be 'paperless' by using digital records instead of paper files for environmental or budget reasons.
• 😀 Offices with 'tight' security have measures like locked doors, swipe cards, and CCTV cameras to monitor employees.

Q & A

What is an open-plan office, and what are some of its pros and cons?

An open-plan office is one large, open space without many separate rooms, often with cubicles for individual workspaces. Pros include a modern, collaborative environment and flexibility. Cons may include noise, distractions, and difficulties focusing.

What does the term 'cubicle farm' mean, and how is it generally perceived?

'Cubicle farm' refers to a large office with many individual cubicles, often seen negatively as a monotonous and uninspiring work environment.

What does 'cramped' mean in the context of office spaces?

'Cramped' describes an office or space where there is not enough room to move freely. It can apply to any space that feels overcrowded or too small.

What is hot desking, and when is it typically used?

Hot desking is a system where employees do not have assigned desks but instead use any available desk when they arrive at work. It is often used in companies where people work different hours, allowing desks to be shared efficiently.

What does having a 'personal office' mean?

A personal office means having your own designated workspace that you do not share with others. However, it could still be a small room, possibly without windows.

How would you describe a 'smart casual' dress code?

A 'smart casual' dress code is between formal and informal attire. It might include wearing a shirt and smart trousers without a tie or full suit.

What types of rooms might be found in a larger office?

Larger offices may have a conference room for big meetings, a copy room for printing and photocopying, a staff room for breaks, and an IT or server room for computer equipment.

What does 'heavy-duty' mean, and how can it be used?

'Heavy-duty' describes something built to handle large amounts of work or pressure reliably. For example, a heavy-duty printer is durable enough to handle many print jobs, and heavy-duty boots are tough enough for construction work.

What challenges are common with printers and photocopiers in offices?

Common issues with office printers and photocopiers include paper jams and machine unreliability, requiring employees to fix or troubleshoot the equipment.

What does it mean for an office to be 'paperless'?

A paperless office refers to a workplace that uses digital records instead of paper documents for environmental or efficiency reasons. It reduces the need for physical filing and paperwork.