logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
12m 57s

Office English: Bad News

BBC News
About this episode

Sometimes we have to give or receive bad news at work. How do you know when your boss is giving you bad news? What’s the difference between being sacked and being made redundant? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about how to recognise bad news and deliver it to other people.

Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/240304

Note: this programme was originally broadcast in March 2024.

(Image credit: BBC/Getty Images)

FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER:

✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including:

✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories

They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

Up next
Mar 2
Office English: Apologies
When should you apologise at work, and what's the best way to do it? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about the language of workplace apologies and if it's ever wrong to apologise at work. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help y ... Show More
8m 19s
Feb 23
Office English: Rules
When do rules need to be followed and when are they just guidelines? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about the language of rules at work and how to tell how serious a rule is from the way people talk about it.Find a full transcript for this episode and more ... Show More
9m 33s
Feb 16
Office English: Organising meetings
It's sometimes hard to organise meetings and some people feel like meetings are a waste of time. Pippa and Phil talk about planning meetings and how to keep them on track.Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://downloa ... Show More
10m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2025
The English We Speak: A you problem
Don't know this expression? That sounds like a you problem. Learn how to use this expression with Phil and Feifei.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250818Subscribe to our newsl ... Show More
2m 41s
Sep 2025
The English We Speak: Muddle along
An expression meaning you're managing OK even if you don't have a plan. Learn it here.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250901 Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co ... Show More
2m 29s
Mar 2025
The English We Speak: Can-do attitude
If you have a can-do attitude, you don't let anything stop you. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250310 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co ... Show More
2m 16s
Oct 2025
Job suffixes
What's the connection between a teacher, a driver and a presenter? We explain.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co. ... Show More
6m 10s
Sep 2025
The English We Speak: Speak someone's language
This expression is a different way to say 'I love that idea' or 'I completely agree'.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250915 Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co. ... Show More
2m 42s
Sep 2025
The English We Speak: No leg to stand on
This phrase means that someone's argument is weak.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250922 Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND ... Show More
2m 58s
Sep 2025
What causes hearing loss?
As we get older, our hearing naturally gets worse. But what are the causes of this decline? And is there anything we can do to prevent it? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: h ... Show More
6m 40s
Oct 2025
Our Stories: Locked out and looking silly
Georgie and Neil share real stories about mistakes. Georgie breaks into her own house, and Neil does something very embarrassing in a car park. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learninge ... Show More
7m 57s
Oct 2025
The English We Speak: Neck of the woods
This is an expression that talks about an area, especially the one where you live. Learn how to use it with Feifei and Phil.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251006 Subscribe t ... Show More
2m 15s
Apr 2025
The English We Speak: Dial down
Here's an expression we use to talk about reducing the intensity of something. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250421FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ http ... Show More
2m 35s