BEC Vantage Vocabulary List Translation:

absenteeism n employees not being at work when they should

be

account for v form the total of something

acquisition n buying new companies
across the board adv happening or having an effect on people at
every level and in every area
administer v manage or govern
adversarial adj involving opposition or disagreement
advertising campaign n organised programme of advertisements, usually
concerning promoting a certain product or
brand
advocate n person who supports an idea (or product)
agenda n list of matters to be discussed at a meeting
alignment n agreement between people who want to work
together because of shared interests or aims
allocate v give something to someone as their share of a
total amount, for them to use in a particular way
allot v give (especially a share of something available)
for a particular purpose
angel n wealthy person who invests money in new
business projects
appraise v examine someone or something in order to
judge their qualities, success or needs
approach n way of considering something
assembly n process of putting together the parts of a
machine or structure
assembly line n line of machines and workers in a factory which
a product moves along while it is being built or
produced. Each machine or worker performs a
particular job, which must be completed before
the product moves to the next position in the
line
assess v judge or decide the amount, value, quality or
importance of something
asset n something valuable belonging to a person or
organisation which can be used for the payment
of debts
attendee n someone who goes to a place, event, etc.
autocratic adj demanding absolute obedience from other
people
axe n way to reduce the number of employees
backer n person who gives financial support to something
backup plan n scheme ready to be used in place of or to help
another
balance sheet n statement that shows the value of a company’s
assets and its debts
bang heads together v when two or more people get together to work
out complicated issues, usually involving some
argument, before reaching a solution
bank charge n sum of money paid by a customer for a bank’s
services
bankable adj likely to make money
banner ad n form of advertising on the World Wide Web
which involves putting a wide and short, or tall
and narrow advert on an interesting web page
barcode n small rectangular pattern of thick and thin black
lines of magnetic ink printed on an item, or on
its container, so that its details can be read by
and recorded on a computer system
bargaining point n something which someone else wants that you
are willing to lose in order to reach an
agreement
be in a position to v be able to do something, usually because you
have the necessary experience, authority or
money
benchmark v measure the quality of something by comparing
it with something else of an accepted standard
benefits pl n things such as medical insurance that employees
receive in addition to money
better off adj richer
bid v compete against other firms by offering to do a
job or contract for a certain amount of money
bid for v offer to do some work for a particular price
blue-collar worker n worker who does unskilled work rather than
office work
board n group of people who are responsible for
controlling and organising a company or
organisation
bonus n extra amount of money that is given to you as a
 present or reward in addition to the money you
were expecting
bookkeeping n job of keeping a record of the money that has
been spent or received by a business
bottom line n final line in the accounts of a company or
organisation, which states the total profit or loss
that has been made
brand awareness n knowledge of a particular make of product
brand builder n developer of a product’s image
brand identity n see brand image
brand image n impression of a product in the minds of potential
customers
brand management n how a company manages its brands and brand
image
breadwinner n member of a family who earns the money that
the family needs
break even v make neither a loss nor a profit doing business
briefing n meeting where information and instructions are
given
brochure n type of small magazine that contains pictures
and information on a product or a company
budget n plan to show how much money an organisation
will earn and how much they will need or be
able to spend
buoyant adj healthy and strong
buzz session n activity where a group of people make lots of
suggestions quickly
by the book adv formally, or according to the rules
calibre n degree of quality or excellence of someone
call-centre operative n person who works in an office where large
numbers of telephone calls, especially from
customers, are handled for an organisation
camaraderie n feeling of friendliness towards people with
whom you work or share an experience
capialise on v use to your advantage
career break n period in which a person decides to leave their
job temporarily
career continuity n ability to continue your professional career
cash n money which is immediately available
cash cow very profitable business or part of the business
churn out v produce large amounts of something quickly,
usually of low quality
cipher n a person or group of people without power, but
used by others for their own purposes, or
someone who is not important
classified n small advertisement placed in a newspaper by a
ad/advertisement person wishing to buy or sell something, offer or
get employment, etc.
close down v if a business or organisation closes down, or
someone closes it down, it stops operating
clutch n handful
cold-calling n when a person in business telephones or visits a
possible customer to try to sell them something
without being asked by the customer to do so
collate v bring together different pieces of written
information
come under scrutiny v subject to careful and thorough examination
competency n important skill that is needed to do a job
competitive adj competitive prices, services, etc. are as good as,
or better than, other prices, services, etc.
compliance n when people obey an order, rule or request
compromise n agreement in an argument in which the people
involved reduce their demands or change their
opinion in order to agree
concierge service n doorkeeper or porter services
consolidate v combine several things, especially businesses, so
that they become more effective
constraint n something which controls what you do by
keeping you within particular limits
contingency plan n programme of action designed for handling
possible problems
corporate catering n business of providing food service to businesses
service (usually at a remote site)
corporate social n proposal that organisations should be obliged to
responsibility (CSR) make decisions based not only on
financial/economic factors but also on the social
and environmental consequences of their
activities
count on v be confident that you can depend on
(something/someone)
credit limit n maximum amount of money a bank will allow
you to borrow
credit worthiness n calculation of someone’s ability to pay back
money which they have borrowed creditor(p 67)
someone to whom money is owed [divide the
two entries]
crisis management n process of dealing with difficult situations
critical path n sequence of stages determining the minimum
time needed for the execution of an entire
project
crop n (total amount gathered of) a plant such as a
grain, fruit or vegetable grown in large amounts
cross-selling n suggestion that customers buy additional or
related accessories or products during or just
after their primary purchase
current assets n pl something owned by a business that it does not
expect to keep for more than 12 months
customer base n regular customers
customer care n protection and service provided to customers
customer loyalty n when a customer favours a certain brand or
company over others (the company sometimes
offers financial or other rewards for this
favouritism)
customise v make or change something according to the
buyer’s or user’s needs
cut back v use in smaller amounts
cut of the profits n share in the profits
deadline n time or day by which something must be done
deadlock n situation in which agreement in an argument
cannot be reached because neither side will
change its demands or accept the demands of
the other side
dealings pl n activities involving other people, especially in
business
debtor n someone who owes money
decline v gradually become less, worse, or lower
deficit n amount of money a company has lost during a
particular period of time
delegate v give a particular job, duty, right, etc. to someone
else so that they do it for you
deposit n sum of money which is given in advance as part
of a total payment for something
depreciation n loss of value of an asset such as machinery over
time
direct response n form of advertising designed to obtain a direct
advertising response between the viewer and the
advertiser: the customer responds to the
marketer directly
discharge a debt pay a debt completely
disclose v make something known publicly, or show
something that was secret
disposable income n money which you can spend as you want and
not the money which you spend on taxes, food
and other basic needs
distribution n making goods available to customers
diverse footprint n varied area over which something is present
dividend n (a part of) the profit of a company that is paid to
the people who own shares in it
dotcom n Internet company
double digit adj number with two digits (i.e. between 10 and
99inclusive)
downside n disadvantage of a situation
downsize v if you downsize a company or organisation, you
make it smaller by reducing the number of
people working for it, and if it downsizes, it
becomes smaller in this way
draw up prepare something, usually something official, in
writing
dress code n set of rules for what you can wear
dwindle v become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in
number
economic downturn n reduction in a country’s financial activity
economies of scale pl pl n where the costs of production fall as a business
grows in size
emerging market n area or country where there is growing demand
for goods
empire n very large and important business organisation
enhance v improve the quality, amount or strength of
something
entrant n person who takes part in a competition or an
 examination
envision v form a mental picture of something, typically
something that may occur or be possible in the
future
e-sale n sales transaction performed digitally, usually
over the Internet
estimate v guess the cost, size, value, etc. of something
ethics pl pl n a system of accepted beliefs which control
behaviour, especially such a system based on
morals
evict v force someone to leave somewhere
excess production n ability of a factory to produce more than it
capacity actually does
executive summary n overview of the main points of a business plan
or proposal
expertise n high level of knowledge or skill
exposure n experience of something
extend your overdraft v lengthen the period of time before you have to
pay back the money you have overdrawn
factor n fact or situation which influences the result of
something
factoring n system of buying debts for less than they are
worth and then obtaining payment for them
from the debtors
fall short v fail to reach a target
faulty adj not perfectly made or not working correctly
feasibility n whether something can be done, made or
achieved
fee n amount of money paid for a particular piece of
work
feedback n remarks passed back to the person responsible,
so that changes can be made if necessary
field n area of activity or interest
fire v dismiss
fixed assets n pl building, equipment or land owned by a
company
flexible working n working without strict times for starting and
finishing
flutter n small bet
foreign exchange n rises and falls in the currencies of other
fluctuation countries
freelancer n worker who does particular pieces of work for
different organisations, rather than working all
the time for a single organisation
frontline staff n employees with direct contact with customers
FTSE n Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 index; the
main measure of the amount by which the
leading 100 shares sold on the London Stock
Exchange have gone up or down in value
gadget n small device or machine with a particular
purpose
gain ground (on) v make progress at the expense of
get (something) straight v understand correctly, or make something clear
get a bad press v receive criticism from the media
get down to business v start talking about the subject to be discussed
get down to work v start to direct your efforts and attention towards
work
get off the ground v if a plan or activity gets off the ground or you get
it off the ground, it starts or succeeds
get on board v make (someone) part of a group or team, or
become part of a group or team
get your desk clear v finish all your work
glitch n small problem or fault that prevents something
from working well
global presence n if a company has a global presence, it sells its
products all over the world
go bankrupt v become unable to pay what you owe, and have
control of your financial matters given, by a
court of law, to a person who sells your property
to pay your debts
go bust v if a company goes bust, it is forced to close
because it is financially unsuccessful
go on a hunch v act on an idea which is based on feeling and for
which there is no proof
go out of business v no longer able to operate as a business
goal n aim or purpose
going rate standard rate of payment for a particular job
goodwill n value of the popularity, the regular customers,
etc. of a business calculated as part of its worth
when being sold
gross profit n company’s profit before certain costs and taxes
are deducted
ground-breaking adj if something is ground-breaking, it is very new
and a big change from other things of its type
halve v if something halves, it is reduced by half
hands-on approach n way of doing things which is practical, not
theoretical
have a bearing on v have an influence on something or a relationship
to something
have your hands in the v steal money from the place where you work
till
high-profile adj attracting a lot of attention and interest from the
public and newspapers, television, etc.
hire v employ someone or pay them to do a particular
job
hire and fire v employ and dismiss
home working n working at home, while communicating with
your office by telephone, fax or computer
horse-trading n negotiation which requires bargaining and each
side reducing their demands
hunch n see go on a hunch
impact n powerful effect that something, especially
something new, has on a situation or person
in line with adv organised at the same level as
in place adv
in sync adj at the same time or the same speed
in the pipeline adv being planned and developed
incentive n something which encourages a person to do
something
incentive payment n financial reward to stimulate action from staff or
customers
incompetent adj showing lack of ability or skill to do something
successfully
in-house magazine n publication which is written and produced within
an organisation by its employees
input n something, such as advice, information or effort,
that is provided in order to help something
succeed or develop
insight n (the ability to have) a clear, deep and sometimes
sudden understanding of a complicated problem
or situation
internal candidate n person seeking a position who already holds
another job within the organisation
interview panel n group of people who ask candidates questions
to see if they are suitable for a job
issue n subject or problem which people are thinking
and talking about
item n one of several subjects to be considered
itemise v list things separately
job sharing n doing part of a job with someone else, so that
each person works part-time
join-venture partner n associate in a commercial enterprise which is
undertaken jointly
jot down v write something quickly on a piece of paper so
that you remember it
key adj very important and having a lot of influence on
other people or things
key stage n important time period in a sequence of events
knock (something) off v give a discount off the price
the price
knock-on effect when an event or situation has a knock-on
effect, it indirectly causes other events or
situations
knowledge worker n person whose work requires specialist
knowledge
labour intensive adj needing a lot of workers
landlord n person or organisation that owns a building or
an area of land and is paid by other people for
the use of it
lay off v stop employing (someone), sometimes
temporarily, because there is no money to pay
them or because there is no work for them
layoff n when someone stops employing someone,
sometimes temporarily, because there is no
money to pay them or because there is no work
for them
lead time n time needed to design and develop a new
product
leafleting n giving out leaflets to people
lease n legal agreement in which you pay money in
order to use a building, piece of land, vehicle,
etc. for a period
leaseholder n person who pays the owner of a piece of land, a
building, etc. in order to be able to use it
legal entitlement n something that, in law, you have the right to do
or have, or when you have the right to do or
have something
leverage n power to influence people and get the results
you want
liability n when you are legally responsible for something
liability n debt
life insurance n system in which you make regular payments to
an insurance company in exchange for a fixed
amount of money which will be paid to someone
you have named, usually a member of your
family, when you die
limited liability company n if this type of business goes bankrupt, then the
owners will only risk the money they have
invested in the company
line management n direct management of staff
line of business n particular kind of commercial enterprise
loan n sum of money which is borrowed, often from a
bank, and has to be paid back, usually together
with an additional amount of money that you
have to pay as a charge for borrowing
logo n design or symbol used by a company to
advertise its products
loss adjuster n person who works for an insurance company
and decides how much money should be paid
out in each case of something having been
damaged or lost
lucrative adj producing a lot of money, profitable
lump sum n sum of money that is paid in one large amount
on one occasion
machine tool n mechanically operated tool for cutting or
shaping wood, metals, etc.
mainstream adj desired by most people
make redundant v no longer employ someone because there is not
enough work
management reporting n monthly report(s) on financial performance
produced by management for shareholders
mandatory adj describes something which must be done, or
which is demanded by law
manufacturing base n all the companies producing goods in a country
or region
map v make a plan in detail
margin n amount by which revenue from sales exceeds
cost of sales
market share n percentage of all the sales within a market that
are held by one brand or company
marketing-led adj influenced by customers’ needs (as opposed to
being product-led)
memo n message or other information in writing sent by
one person or department to another in the
same business organisation
mentor n person who gives another person help and
advice over a period of time and often also
teaches them how to do their job
middle management n level between senior management and junior
management
mid-size adj describes something that is neither large nor
small
miscellaneous adj consisting of a mixture of various things which
are not usually connected with each other
monitor v watch and check a situation carefully for a
period of time in order to discover something
about it
morale n amount of confidence felt by a person or group
of people, especially when in a dangerous or
difficult situation
natural wastage n reduction in the number of people who work for
an organisation which is achieved by not
replacing those people who leave
network v meet people who might be useful to know,
especially in your job
niche market n small area of trade within the economy, often
involving specialised products
nose-dive, take a v fall or drop suddenly and by a great deal
offset v balance one influence against an opposing
influence, so that there is no great difference as
a result
on site adv inside a factory, office building, etc.
one-off payment n money that is paid only once
one-to-one interview n meeting between just two people
ongoing adj continuing to exist or develop, or happening at
the present moment
operating profit n measure of profit that a business earns on its
normal operations
order book n book in which a company or shop keeps a record
of customers’ orders
out of pocket adj having less money than you started with
outcome n result
outgoings pl n amounts of money that regularly have to be
spent
outlay n amount of money spent for a particular
purpose, especially as a first investment in
something
outperform v do well in a particular job or activity compared
to others of a similar type
outplacement service n professional service to help redundant
employees to search for a new job, paid for by
the former employer
output n amount of something produced by a person,
machine, factory, country, etc.
outsourcing n the practice of a company paying to have part
of its work done by another company
overdraft n an amount of money that a customer with a
bank account is temporarily allowed to owe to
the bank, or the agreement which allows this
overtheads pl n the regular and necessary costs, such as rent and
heating, that are involved in operating a
business
over-the-counter sale n ordinary sales transaction in a shop
overtime adv ?? extra payment for working beyond the usual
time
overtrading v operating a business while not having enough
money to pay creditors and employees
overview v short description of something which provides
general information about it, but no details
overworked adj having to work too much
package n related group of things when they are offered
together as a single unit
patent v register the official legal right to make or sell an
invention for a particular number of years
pay off v if an investment or risk pays off, it is successful
payroll n list of the people employed by a company
peak v reach the highest, strongest or best point, value
or level of skill
peer group n people who are approximately the same age as
you and come from a similar social group
penalty clause n part of a contract which punishes the person or
organisation doing the work if it is not
completed on time
penetration n how much share of a particular market a
company or a product manages to achieve
per capita adv if you state an amount per capita, you mean that
amount for each person
performance pay n salary that increases when your work improves
or becomes more productive
perk n advantage or benefit given to an employee in
addition to their salary, e.g. private health care
or a company car
place a premium on v especially value
player n important company involved in a market or
industry
plummet v fall very quickly and suddenly
point on the pay scale n position on the salary scale which shows
different rates of pay depending on your job and
your seniority
point-of-sale display n visual presentation for promotional purposes at
the place where goods are sold
pop-up box (also pop-up n form of online advertising on the World Wide
ad/pop-up) Web when certain websites open a new window
to display advertisements
premise n idea or theory on which a statement or action is
based
premises pl pl n land and buildings owned by someone,
especially by a company or organisation
presence n see global presence
pre-tax profit n money which is earned in trade or business
before taxes have been paid
procedure n set of actions which is the official or accepted
way of doing something
proceedings pl n series of events that happen in a planned and
controlled way
procurement n the obtaining of supplies
production capacity n total amount of resources available to achieve
maximum output
productive adj useful
product-led adj activities are determined by the requirements of
the product (as opposed to customer-led or
marketing-led)
profit and loss account n financial statement that summarises the
expenses, losses and overheads of a company,
used to calculate the net profit
profit margin n profit that can be made in a business or sale
after costs have been subtracted
profitability n capacity to make a profit
progressive adj encouraging change in the way that things are
done
prospect n potential purchaser or customer
proven track record n all the successful achievements that someone or
something has had in the past
psychometric test n exam to measure scientifically a person’s mental
capacities and personality
publicly accountable adj responsible to the government
pull figures out of the v choose numbers in a random way, rather than
air one based on evidence or logic
punitive adj used to describe costs which are so high they are
difficult to pay, and which are often used to
punish someone or limit their activities
purchase n something that you buy
pursuit n when you try to achieve a plan, activity, or
situation, usually over a long period of time
put more on someone’s v give someone more work to deal with
plate
put up (money) v provide or lend an amount of money for a
particular purpose
put your money where v show that you believe in something by
your mouth is spending/or investing money
quality control n process of looking at goods when they are being
produced to make certain that all the goods are
of the intended standard
quality management n managing systems in a company so that each
department works effectively and produces
products or services of the required standard
quarterly adv once every three months
query n question
ranks pl n the membership of a group or organisation
rat race n struggle of individuals in a competitive
environment
rate n level of payment
rate v judge the value or character of someone or
something
realise v change into money by selling
reap the benefits v get the benefit, etc. that is the result of your
own actions
recede v fall
recession n period when the economy of a country is not
successful and conditions for business are bad
recycle v collect and treat rubbish in order to produce
useful materials which can be used again
red tape n paperwork
referral n the referring of an individual to an expert for
advice
reformulate v develop again all the details of a plan for doing
something
registered letter n valuable letter which, for an additional charge,
can protect the sender against loss
regulation n official rule
reinstall v put back into position and make ready for use
again
reinvest v invest again
report back v bring information to someone in authority
resettlement package n collection of benefits offered to an employee
who is relocating to another town, city or
country for their work
retail outlet n shop
retained earnings pl n earnings which are kept by the company to
invest in future projects, market research, etc.
retool v change or replace machinery in a factory
retrenchment n when an organisation spends less or reduces
costs to avoid losing money
return n amount of profit on an investment
revenue n money earned from sales
reward n something given in exchange for good behaviour
or good work, etc.
risk management n process of assessing and measuring possible
dangers and evolving strategies to deal with
them
risk-averse adj have a strong dislike for taking risks
rocket v rise extremely quickly
rota n list of things that have to be done and of the
people who will do them
run at a loss v cost more money than is received from sales
run over time v take longer than scheduled
running costs pl n money you need to spend regularly to keep a
system or organisation functioning
sabotage n intentional damage to machines, buildings, etc.
safety procedure n official or accepted set of actions used to keep
people safe
sales force n all the employees of a company whose job is
persuading customers to buy their company’s
products or services
sales pitch n way of talking that is intended to persuade you
to buy something
sales volume n amount of purchases made
sample n group of people or things that is chosen out of a
larger number and is questioned or tested in
order to obtain information about the larger
group
scanner n device for reading information into a computer
system
scenario n description of possible actions or events in the
future
schedule v arrange that an event or activity will happen at a
particular time
screen out v filter out/remove
screening n examining someone or something to discover if
there is anything wrong with them/it
search engine n computer program which finds information on
the Internet by looking for words which you
have typed in
self-employed adj not working for an employer but finding work
for yourself or having your own business
selling point n characteristic of a product which will persuade
 people to buy it
semi-skilled adj having or needing only a small amount of
training
service agreement n contract between two businesses where one
agrees to provide a service to the other, or
between a landlord and a tenant
settle your account v pay all the money you owe
shareholder n person who owns shares in a company
shell out v pay, especially unwillingly
shift n change in position or direction
shift v sell
ship v send goods by any form of transport to a distant
place
shipper n person whose job is to organise the sending of
goods from one place to another
shop around v compare the price and quality of the same or a
similar item in different shops before you decide
which one to buy
shop-floor worker n worker in a factory (the factory is the shop floor)
shortage n when there is not enough of something
shortfall n an amount which is less than the level that was
expected or needed
showroom n large shop in which people are encouraged to
look at the goods that are on sale before buying
them
shrewd adj based on a clear understanding and good
judgement of a situation
shrink v become smaller, or make something smaller
sick leave n absence from work because of illness
slip v go into a worse state, often because of lack of
control or care
soar v rise very quickly to a high level
solicit v ask for money, information or help
source v get something from a particular place
specification n detailed description of how something should be
done, made, etc.
spending power n ability to purchase goods
sponsor v support a person, organisation or activity by
 giving money, encouragement or other help
sponsored link n text-based advertisement which describes an
advertiser’s website and the products and
services offered
spreadsheet n computer program, used especially in business,
which allows you to do financial calculations and
plans
staffing level n the numbers of employees
stake n share or financial involvement in a business
stakeholder n person such as an employee, customer or citizen
who is involved with an organisation and
therefore has an interest in its success
stock n total amount of goods available
stock control n in a company or shop, the system of making
certain that new supplies are ordered and that
goods have not been stolen.
stock exchange n place where shares in companies are bought
and sold
stock price n valuation of a company’s shares
stockbroker n person or company that buys and sells stocks
and shares for other people
stockpile v build up a large store of goods which have not
been sold yet
storage and handling n place or building used to store and distribute
facility goods
straight talking n direct and straightforward way of
communicating with others
streamline v make more efficient
subcontractor n person or company that does part of a job which
another person or company is responsible for
subsidy n money given as part of the cost of something, to
help or encourage it to happen
sue v take legal action against a person or organisation
summon v officially arrange a meeting of people
supervision n when someone watches a person or activity and
makes certain that everything is done correctly,
safely, etc.
supply base n range of suppliers and potential suppliers
surge v increase suddenly and greatly
surveillance n the careful watching of a person or place
survey n examination of opinions, behaviour, etc., made
by asking people questions
sustained adj continuing for a long time
symposium n occasion at which people who have great
knowledge of a particular subject meet in order
to discuss a matter of interest
synergy n the combined power of a group of things when
they are working together which is greater than
the total power achieved by each working
separately
systems engineer n person who designs and installs computer
systems
take (someone) for a v deceive or cheat (someone)
ride
take off v suddenly start to be successful or popular
take over v get control (of a company) by buying most of its
shares
target n level or situation which you intend to achieve
target audience n particular group at which advertising is aimed
tax exposure n financial commitment to pay tax
tax liability n amount of tax which must be paid to the
government
team up with v work together with
technophobe n person who dislikes or fears new technology
teleworking n the activity of working at home, while
communicating with your office by telephone,
fax or computer
temp n person employed to work for a short period,
especially in an office, while another person is
absent or when there is extra work
tender n formal written offer to do a job for an agreed
price
time management n skill of administering your time so as to work
effectively
timekeeping n ability to arrive at a place at the time expected
time-share holiday adj when people buy a holiday home together
home which each person can use for a different part of
the year
track down v find by searching or following tracks
trade away v pass on to someone else
trade press n magazine published for and read by members of
a particular trade group
trade tariff n tax collected by a government on goods coming
into or sometimes going out of a country
transaction n payment or business deal
transactional adj in a way that is a direct business exchange
trend n general development or change in a situation or
in the way that people are behaving
trouble-shooting skills pl n ability to remove or solve difficulties
turnover amount of business that a company does in a
period of time measured in terms of the amount
of money obtained from customers
unauthorised adj without official permission
underestimate v fail to guess or understand the real cost, size,
difficulty, etc. of something and think it is less
underpaid adj paid less than the market rate
undertaking n formal promise
undervalue v consider someone or something as less valuable
or important than they really are
unethical adj not morally acceptable
union (also trade union) n organisation that represents the people who
work in a particular industry, protects their
rights, and discusses their pay and working
conditions with employers
union rep n worker elected by workers in a factory or
business to represent them in discussions with
management
up and running adj operating
update v give someone the most recent information
vacancy n job that no one is doing and is therefore
available for someone new to do
vagaries pl n any of a set of unusual or unexpected events or
changes that have an effect on someone
value for money adj something well worth the money spent
VAT return n declaration of Value Added Tax (= a type of tax
in European countries which is paid by the
person who buys goods and services)
venture n new activity, usually in business, which involves
risk or uncertainty
vision n ability to imagine how a country, society,
 industry, etc. could develop in the future and to
plan in a suitable way
voluntary redundancy n arrangement when a company needs to reduce
scheme its workforce and some employees choose to be
made redundant (because they have found
another job or would like to stop working)
white-collar worker n person who works in an office or at a
professional job, rather than one who works
with their hands
within budget adv not exceeding the amount of money you have
available to spend
word of mouth n people telling each other how good a product is
work out v calculate
work–life balance n amount of time you spend at work compared
with your free time
workload n amount of work to be done, especially by a
particular person or machine in a period of time
workstation n area in a workplace where one person works