[IELTS Vocabulary] Work and employment

This vocabulary list is for reference only. Your Lexical Resource scores are calculated based on the overall level of vocabulary used in your writing and speaking answers. To improve your Lexical Resource scores, it is necessary that you improve your overall level of vocabulary.

However, skillfully incorporating these words in your writing and speaking answers together with a good vocabulary level will increase the chance of enhanced Lexical Recourse scores.

Vocabulary list

1. Job Satisfaction and Work-Life Balance

Word/Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Work-life balance	Noun phrase	Harmony between work and personal life	Achieving work-life balance improves overall well-being.
Job satisfaction	Noun phrase	Contentment and fulfillment from work	Job satisfaction is crucial for employee retention.
Flexible hours	Noun phrase	Ability to adjust work schedules	Flexible hours accommodate employees’ personal commitments.
Professional growth	Noun phrase	Advancement and development in one’s career	Opportunities for professional growth enhance job satisfaction.
Work environment	Noun phrase	Conditions and atmosphere at the workplace	A positive work environment fosters job satisfaction.
Employee engagement	Noun phrase	Involvement and enthusiasm in one’s work	Employee engagement is linked to higher job satisfaction.
Burnout	Noun	Physical and emotional exhaustion from work	Burnout negatively affects job satisfaction and productivity.
Workload management	Noun phrase	Effective allocation of tasks and responsibilities	Proper workload management reduces stress and improves job satisfaction.
Career development	Noun phrase	Process of acquiring skills and experiences for career advancement	Investing in career development enhances job satisfaction and retention.
Time management	Noun phrase	Efficient use of time for tasks and activities	Effective time management contributes to work-life balance.

2. Unemployment and Its Effects

Word/Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Unemployment	Noun	State of being without a job	Unemployment rates soared during the economic downturn.
Economic hardship	Noun phrase	Financial difficulties due to unemployment	Families may experience economic hardship during periods of unemployment.
Job insecurity	Noun phrase	Fear of losing one’s job or employment uncertainty	Job insecurity can lead to stress and anxiety among workers.
Financial strain	Noun phrase	Pressure caused by financial difficulties	Unemployment often results in financial strain for individuals and families.
Underemployment	Noun	Working in a job that does not utilize one’s skills or qualifications	Underemployment is a common issue in fluctuating job markets.
Social isolation	Noun phrase	Lack of social interaction and support	Unemployment can lead to social isolation and loneliness.
Psychological impact	Noun phrase	Effects on mental and emotional well-being	Unemployment can have significant psychological impacts on individuals.
Loss of self-esteem	Noun phrase	Decrease in self-worth and confidence	Unemployment may result in a loss of self-esteem and identity.
Dependency	Noun	Reliance on others for financial support	Long-term unemployment can create dependency on welfare systems.
Reemployment programs	Noun phrase	Initiatives to help unemployed individuals find new jobs	Reemployment programs offer support and resources to job seekers.

3. Remote Work and Its Pros and Cons

Word/Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Remote work	Noun phrase	Work done outside of a traditional office setting	Remote work allows employees to work from anywhere with internet access.
Flexibility	Noun	Freedom to choose work hours and location	Remote work offers flexibility in managing personal and professional commitments.
Work-life integration	Noun phrase	Blending work and personal life responsibilities	Work-life integration enables individuals to balance work and personal obligations effectively.
Telecommuting	Noun	Working from a remote location	Telecommuting reduces commuting time and expenses.
Virtual meetings	Noun phrase	Online gatherings for collaborative discussions	Virtual meetings facilitate communication among remote teams.
Digital nomad	Noun phrase	A person who works remotely while traveling	Digital nomads embrace remote work to explore new destinations.
Collaboration tools	Noun phrase	Software facilitating group work	Collaboration tools like Slack and Trello enhance remote teamwork.
Productivity	Noun	Efficiency and output in completing tasks	Remote work can boost productivity by reducing office distractions.
Isolation	Noun	The feeling of being disconnected from others	Remote work may lead to feelings of isolation for some individuals.
Cybersecurity	Noun	Protection against unauthorized access	Remote work requires strong cybersecurity measures to safeguard data.

Idioms for Speaking

These are idioms and phrases that use topic-related figures of speech. They can also be used in different contexts.

Idiom	Definition	Example
Burn the midnight oil	To work late into the night; to put in extra hours of work.	“To meet the deadline, we had to burn the midnight oil and work through the night.”
Climbing the corporate ladder	Advancing in one’s career and moving up to higher positions.	“She’s been climbing the corporate ladder quickly, and now she’s a senior manager.”
Cut to the chase	To get to the main point without unnecessary details.	“Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the key issues affecting the project.”
Get the ball rolling	To start a process or activity; to initiate something.	“Let’s have a kickoff meeting to get the ball rolling on the new project.”
Go the extra mile	To make a special effort or go above and beyond what is required.	“She always goes the extra mile in her work, consistently delivering exceptional results.”
Hit the ground running	To start a new job or project with great energy and enthusiasm.	“I’m ready to hit the ground running in my new position and contribute to the team.”
In the loop	To be informed and kept up-to-date about a particular situation or project.	“I want to be in the loop regarding any changes in the project timeline.”
Jump on the bandwagon	To adopt or support a popular trend or activity.	“Many companies are jumping on the bandwagon of remote work due to its benefits.”
Keep one’s nose to the grindstone	To work hard and diligently.	“Success in any field often requires keeping your nose to the grindstone.”
Make ends meet	To have enough money to cover basic living expenses.	“With rising costs, it’s becoming challenging for some families to make ends meet.”
Nine-to-five job	A typical office job with regular working hours.	“He used to have a nine-to-five job, but now he prefers more flexible working hours.”
Off the clock	Not working; not on duty.	“I’m sorry, I can’t discuss work matters; I’m off the clock right now.”
On the same page	To have a shared understanding or agreement about a particular topic.	“It’s crucial for team members to be on the same page regarding project goals.”
Pay one’s dues	To gain experience and prove one’s worth through hard work.	“Before becoming a manager, she paid her dues by working in various roles within the company.”
Pull one’s weight	To contribute one’s fair share of work or effort in a team.	“In a collaborative project, it’s essential for everyone to pull their weight.”
Quick on the draw	Able to think and react quickly; responsive.	“In a fast-paced work environment, it’s important to be quick on the draw.”
Run out of steam	To lose energy or enthusiasm, often during a task.	“After working on the project for hours, I ran out of steam and needed a break.”
Throw in the towel	To give up or surrender; to admit defeat.	“Facing constant challenges, he decided to throw in the towel and look for a new job.”
Under the table	Payment made secretly, often involving dishonest or illegal activities.	“Some businesses pay employees under the table to avoid taxes.”
Work one’s fingers to the bone	To work extremely hard and diligently.	“She worked her fingers to the bone to meet the tight project deadline.”