Question

WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION
Workplace Topics
Imagine that a coworker approaches you and tries to start a conversation with the statements shown. Decide how to respond to each of the inappropriate topics.
Inappropriate Workplace Topics
A coworker approaches you and says…
Your response is…
I don’t know what church you go to, but would you like to go to mine?


Who are you voting for in the next election?


I’m not going to be in this job for long. I want to be a manager by the end of the year.


I feel sick. I’ve been having indigestion all day.


Let me tell you about my argument with my cousin and you can tell me who’s right.


I can’t believe I spent my entire paycheck going out last weekend. I’m in trouble now.


Did you hear that Raj broke up with Jael? I hear there was cheating involved.


I can’t believe what Tonya wore to work today. Can you?





Scenario Recap
Use the PDF named: 5.3 Student Activity (Scenarios)

Option 1 (With 1 Partner):
Your partner: name
Scenario #___
What was your takeaway from the scenario roleplay?
answer


Option 2 (Independently):
Choose a scenario and write the conversation acting it out.
Scenario #___

Employee:
Customer:
Employee:
Customer:
Employee:
Customer:
Employee:
Customer:

How Do You Say It? Scenario Cards
Cut out the cards and distribute. Use the prompts to role-play a workplace conversation. Assume the
role of an employee and a customer at least once.
Scenario 1
Restaurant Employee 1 Customer 1
Answer the phone and tell Customer 1 that the
restaurant is fully booked for all reservation
times requested. You cannot take a reservation
and cannot make any exceptions. Calm the
customer down.

Call Restaurant Employee 1 and say you need
a reservation for a party of 8 for a birthday
celebration. Respond to what Restaurant
Employee 1 says.

Scenario 2
Restaurant Employee 2 Customer 2
Respond to Customer 2’s complaint, assuring Complain to Restaurant Employee 2 that you
them you will take care of it. got the wrong order. Be specific about what’s
wrong, and tell the server that you are allergic
to what you were served and that you will sue
the restaurant if you get sick.

Scenario 3
Restaurant Employee 3 Customer 3
Answer the phone and tell Customer 3 that you Call Restaurant Employee 3 and say you need a
need to put them on hold. reservation for an hour from now. Resist being

put on hold.

Scenario 4
Restaurant Employee 4 Customer 4
Respond to Customer 4’s complaint by saying Complain to Restaurant Employee 4 that you
the restaurant is full and the table cannot be don’t like your table, and insist on being moved.
moved. Find a way to calm the customer down.


In 8th grade terms

Answer 1

Below are easy, 8th-grade-level responses you can use when a coworker brings up something that’s not okay to talk about at work. Short, polite, and sets a boundary.

Responses to inappropriate topics
- "I don’t know what church you go to, but would you like to go to mine?"
- "Thanks, but I keep my religion private. I don’t talk about that at work."

- "Who are you voting for in the next election?"
- "I try not to talk about politics at work. I like to stay neutral here."

- "I’m not going to be in this job for long. I want to be a manager by the end of the year."
- "Good luck with that. At work, let’s focus on doing our jobs well now."

- "I feel sick. I’ve been having indigestion all day."
- "I’m sorry you feel bad. If you need to go home or see a supervisor, please let them know."

- "Let me tell you about my argument with my cousin and you can tell me who’s right."
- "I don’t want to get involved in family arguments. Maybe talk to a friend or family member about it."

- "I can’t believe I spent my entire paycheck going out last weekend. I’m in trouble now."
- "I’m sorry that happened, but money stuff is personal. If you want budgeting tips, maybe ask someone you trust outside work."

- "Did you hear that Raj broke up with Jael? I hear there was cheating involved."
- "I don’t want to spread rumors. It’s not fair to talk about other people like that."

- "I can’t believe what Tonya wore to work today. Can you?"
- "That’s about someone’s appearance. I’d rather not make comments about coworkers’ clothes."

Scenario Recap — how to fill it out (simple examples)
- Option 1 (With 1 Partner)
- Your partner: Alex
- Scenario # 3
- What was your takeaway from the scenario roleplay?
- "I learned how to stay calm when a customer is upset and to offer solutions instead of arguing."

- Option 2 (Independently)
- Choose a scenario and write the conversation acting it out.
- Scenario # 2

Employee: "I’m really sorry about the wrong order. Let me fix that for you right away."
Customer: "This isn’t what I ordered. Also, I’m allergic to mushrooms and they’re in this. I could get really sick!"
Employee: "I’m so sorry. Did you eat any yet? I’ll tell the kitchen we need a new dish without mushrooms, and I’ll get the manager."
Customer: "I want a refund and I’ll call someone if I’m sick."
Employee: "We’ll remake your meal and give you a refund or a free meal—whatever you want. I’ll stay with you until the manager arrives."

How Do You Say It? — Sample role-plays for each scenario (easy lines)

Scenario 1 — fully booked for reservation
- Restaurant Employee 1: "Hello, thanks for calling. I’m sorry — we’re fully booked for the times you asked. I can’t take a reservation then."
- Customer 1: "But it’s a birthday. Can’t you make an exception? We really need a table for eight."
- Restaurant Employee 1: "I understand it’s important. Right now we’re full, but I can add you to the waitlist, check for cancellations, or suggest another nearby time. Which would you like?"
- Customer 1: "Okay, put us on the waitlist and call if something opens."
- Restaurant Employee 1: "Will do. Can I get your name and phone number?"

Scenario 2 — wrong order + allergy + threat
- Restaurant Employee 2: "I’m sorry about your order. Tell me exactly what’s wrong so I can fix it."
- Customer 2: "This is the wrong dish, and it has something I’m allergic to. If I get sick, I’ll sue."
- Restaurant Employee 2: "I’m really sorry and I want to help. Do you know which ingredient caused the allergy? I’ll get the manager and we’ll make a new meal without that ingredient and give you a refund or replacement."
- Customer 2: "Make it now, please."
- Restaurant Employee 2: "Yes. I’ll start that right away and stay with you until the manager arrives."

Scenario 3 — putting caller on hold
- Restaurant Employee 3: "Hello — I need to put you on hold for one minute while I check the schedule. Is that okay?"
- Customer 3: "No, I don’t want to be put on hold. I need a reservation in an hour."
- Restaurant Employee 3: "I understand. I can call you back in a minute with an answer, or I can check right now and be quick. Which do you prefer?"
- Customer 3: "Call me back if it takes too long. I don’t want to wait on hold."
- Restaurant Employee 3: "Okay, what’s the best number to reach you? I’ll call back within two minutes."

Scenario 4 — customer doesn’t like table and insists on moving
- Restaurant Employee 4: "I’m sorry you don’t like your table. Right now the restaurant is full and we can’t move you immediately."
- Customer 4: "I don’t want to sit here. Move us now."
- Restaurant Employee 4: "I understand. We can put you on the priority list to move as soon as a table opens. Meanwhile, can I offer you a drink or appetizer on the house while you wait?"
- Customer 4: "Fine, but you better move us soon."
- Restaurant Employee 4: "Absolutely. I’ll check every few minutes and tell you as soon as there’s an opening."

If you want, I can:
- Turn any of the responses into role-play cards you can cut out.
- Make the sample conversations shorter or longer.
- Help you practice by writing both sides for a scenario you pick.