Title: Please don't listen to rumours.

Conversation text:

Narrator: Welcome back to English at Work.

Anna is acting up as boss because Paul had an accident with a biscuit! But her and Tom are in a panic after finding a note in Paul's diary that said 'Socrates, IPC, final'.

Could it mean bad news for Tip Top Trading? Let’s find out.

Tom: It's very odd and it can't be good. But Socrates must mean Mr Socrates.

Anna: Yes – but IPC? What's that mean?

Tom: Yeah and final sounds very… final. Hmm… I've got it! IPC – it must be code for imminent post closures – they're going to sack us all!

Anna: Sshh. Keep your voice down. Don't tell everyone. Let's check things out first, don't say anything yet. OK?

Tom: OK. Mum's the word.

Anna: Your mum knows?!

Tom: No, no, no, it's our little secret. See you later.

Denise: Everything OK Tom?

Tom: Oh yeah, everything's cool. Actually Denise, it's not. I think we're all going to be sacked tomorrow by Mr Socrates.

Denise: What?! No! I've got a hairdresser's appointment on Saturday, how am I going to pay for it now? What am I going to do? I know, I'll call Marge.

Tom: Hey Brian, Pete… we're all going to be sacked tomorrow.

Narrator: Erm… Anna, you've got a problem brewing.

Anna: What?

Narrator: Tom's spreading rumours about job cuts. Everyone's starting to panic.

Anna: Oh no! I'd better do something but what shall I say?

Narrator: Call a meeting quickly. Tell the team 'there are some rumours going around that are not true'.

Say, 'I am trying to establish the facts and I will let you know as soon as I have some information'.

You could say 'I would be grateful if you hear any rumours, not to pass them on'.

This can be a tricky situation and you need to handle it well. Good luck!

Anna: Gosh. This is hard but here goes. Excuse me, could everyone gather round please.

Denise: Is this about the sackings?

Anna: No Denise. Any rumours about sackings are not true.

Tom: Yeah that's right. Who told you that Denise?

Denise: Hmmm…

Anna: Please don't listen to rumours. I am trying to establish the facts and if I get any information I will let you know straight away.

Denise: But I heard Mr Socrates is coming tomorrow, surely he’s going to sack us.

Anna: Ignore the rumours and please don't pass them on.

Narrator: Anna. Tell them to carry on with their work as normal.

Anna: Right, yes. Could you please just carry on with your work as normal. Thank you.

Tom: So Anna, how are you going to find out the facts?

Anna: I'm going to have to call Paul – in private Tom – I don't want any more rumours getting out.

Tom: Oh yeah, absolutely. You need to establish the facts right?

Paul: Hello, Paul speaking.

Anna: Oh hi Paul. It's Anna. Sorry to bother you. Are you feeling better?

Paul: Much better thanks but keeping clear of biscuits for a while! Anyway, is everything OK?

Anna: Not exactly. There are rumours spreading about job cuts. Tom saw a note in your diary for tomorrow that said 'Socrates, IPC'.

Paul: Hmm. Really? Oh yes. I mean, oh no! It's not job cuts – it's IPC - the International Plastics Conference tomorrow!

And Mr Socrates is flying in for it. Oh golly gosh, I'd forgotten about that.

Anna: I see. And why did you write final?

Paul: Because there's an award being given for the Best Plastic Innovation – and we're in the final with our Imperial Lemon.

It was a reminder to me to write an acceptance speech. Oh golly gosh, I haven't written a thing.

Anna: Oh dear. What are we going to do?

Narrator: What are you going to do indeed? But thank goodness those rumours of job cuts are not true.

Tomorrow could actually be a good day for Tip Top Trading.

Here's a reminder of the phrases Anna used to try and control the spread of some office rumours:

There are some rumours going around that are not true.

Please don't listen to rumours.

I am trying to establish the facts and if I get any information I will let you know straight away.

Ignore the rumours and please don’t pass them on.

Please just carry on with your work as normal. Thank you.

Narrator: Tomorrow is going to be an important day at the International Plastics Conference.

Mr Socrates will be there and Tip Top Trading could pick up a prestigious prize but who’s going to write the acceptance speech?

Paul: OK Anna, this calls for some urgent action. I want you and Tom to meet me at the Princess Diana Conference Centre tomorrow at 9.00.

Anna: Right. And what about the speech?

Paul: Well, I've got quite a lot on my plate so I was wondering if you could give it a go… please?

Anna: Me?! I've never done it before. What am I going to say?!

Narrator: Don't worry Anna. We’re here to help. Join us again soon for some more English at Work. Bye!