Beginner Business: Apologizing at work

GUESS THE MEANING

Choose the correct meaning of the underlined word in each sentence.
下線部の言葉にもっとも近い意味を選びましょう。

ANSWER
  1. b. to say sorry for something you did
  2. c. right time or date to finish the job
  3. a. to say you are the one who made a mistake

ANSWER

  1. Hannah apologized to her boss for being late thrice this week and promised to arrive early starting tomorrow.
    1. to ask your boss for vacation leave
    2. to say sorry for something you did
    3. to give thanks before ending the meeting
  2. Even after apologizing and explaining his reason, his manager is still mad at him for not setting a deadline for his project research.
    1. a kind of tool used to finish a task
    2. a line that needs to be finished during meetings
    3. a right time or date to finish the job
  3. William takes full responsibility for accidentally breaking the company’s printer.
    1. to say you are the one who made a mistake
    2. to promise not to do the same mistake again
    3. to take something that is not yours
READING ALOUD

Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Mr. Evans and you will be Mr. Davies. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.

会話文を読みましょう。講師がMr.Evans、あなたはMr.Daviesのパートを読みます。読み終わったら交代しましょう。
READ

 

One morning, Mr. Davies calls the attention of the Quality Assurance Department Head to discuss a problem.


Good morning, Mr. Davies. Your Secretary said you were looking for me. Is something wrong?
 
 
Good morning, Mr. Evans. Please have a seat. As you know, Yummy Tuna is our company’s most famous product. It is our country’s leading canned tuna brand. However, last week, we have been receiving some bad reports. As you are the Head of Quality Assurance Department, do you know anything about this matter?
 

 
I’m really sorry to hear that but I just returned today from my one-week vacation leave so I have not seen the reports yet. What kind of bad reports did we receive, sir?
 
 
That’s understandable. Well, every mall in our country receives five-hundred dozens of Yummy Tuna canned goods every month but there are twenty malls who only received four-hundred dozens. Do you have any suggestions to solve this problem?
 

 
Thank you for filling me in about the negative reports, sir. I will talk to our Head Manufacturer as to why we are not able to deliver the complete five-hundred dozens to the remaining twenty local malls. Then, to make up for the mistake, we will deliver additional two-hundred dozens to each of them. You have my word that we will solve this problem.
 
 
That is a good suggestion. Very well, you have my permission. Please process that within the day to avoid further delays. Cooperate with the Manufacturing Department and deliver additional two-hundred dozens of Yummy Tuna goods to the twenty remaining local malls.
 
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Please answer the questions based on the dialogue.
会話文の内容について答えましょう。
ANSWER

1. What was the problem that Mr. Evans and Mr. Davies talked about?
Answer: ________________
2. Based on Mr. Evan’s explanation, how will he fix the problem?
Answer: ________________
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

Let’s practice some expressions. I will read each sentence first. Please read after me.
TRANSLATION
READ

First, to apologize sincerely and explain what happened, use these sentences:

  1. Sir/Ma’am, I apologize for not finishing my projects on time.
  2. I was absent for two days due to flu, so I wasn’t able to complete my projects on time.

Next, we could use these sentences to say that we are responsible for our mistake/s:

  1. I understand that this may affect the quality of my work.
  2. Rest assured that I will give you all of my finished projects before this day ends.

Lastly, we could use these sentences to say that we will not do it again:

  1. You have my word that this will never happen again. I will do my best to finish my projects on time.
  2. If there is anything else I can do to make up for my mistake, I would be happy to do so.
SITUATION QUESTIONS

Please tell me what you will do given the following situations.
以下の状況のとき、あなたならどうするか話してみましょう。
ANSWER

1. Your boss is giving you a verbal warning about your frequent tardiness and absences for the past five months. How would you apologize and convince your boss that you will not do it again?
Answer: ________________
2. Today is the deadline of your monthly project and your supervisor is waiting for it. You realized that you are not finished yet. What would you tell your supervisor and what will you do to your project?
Answer: ________________
CONVERSATION PRACTICE

Let’s talk. Please answer my questions.
質問に答えましょう。
ANSWER

1. Aside from being late and always being absent, what other common mistakes that workers usually do at work?
Answer: ________________
2. In a workplace, do you think it is easier to forgive or to apologize?
Answer: ________________