Lisa告诉同事Emily新年过后筹备离职,由于她感觉眼下的工作非常无聊,没升职的机会,她还说:
Lisa: The other problem is that I think the company is really set in its ways.
Emily: What do you mean?
L: In other words, I think management is resistant1 to change. Ive given great proposals to my section chief and Ive even sent emails with ideas on how to streamline2 operations to the big boss, but the reaction is always the same.
E: What do they say when you offer suggestions?
L: Usually something like: Well take a look and get back to you. But thats the last Ill ever hear from them.
Lisa还感觉公司运作循规蹈矩,set in ones ways是指生活方法或做事办法千篇一律,类似的说法还有stuck in a rut,rut是指车轱辘留下的印儿,to stuck in a rut陷在车轱辘印里,也是循规蹈矩、千篇一律的意思。Lisa说自己向部门经理和公司老板提出过不少好建议,但都没得到看重。得到的回答通常都是:Well take a look and get back to you(大家看一下再回话你),然后就再也没任何消息了。
E: So, do you have any job prospects3 lined up?
L: Ive been sending out resumes4 and Ive gotten a couple of bites.
E: I see...so youve pretty much made up your mind to quit then?
L: I think so. Ill miss seeing you everyday.
E: Ill miss you, too. Can I make a suggestion?
L: Sure!
E: Dont burn any bridges when you make your move.
L: What do you mean?
Emily问她工作找得如何了,Do you have any job prospects lined up? Lisa说自己发了一些简历,已经有一些公司对她表示感兴趣了,Ive gotten a couple of bite. bite在这里是上钩的意思,意思是她的简历已经引起了一些企业的兴趣。看着Lisa去意已定,Emily好心地建议Lisa: Dont burn any bridges. 离职的时候不要把事做绝,最后给自己留条后路。Emily进一步讲解说:
E: I mean, dont tell the boss you hate your job or him. Simply inform them that you plan to resign from your position and do your best to train your replacement5. That way, this company can remain a back-up option for you.
L: You make a good point. Ill try to be as professional about this as possible. Thanks Emily! Talking to you makes me feel much better.
E: Sure! Now lets eat!
Emily劝Lisa不要burn any bridges(断了我们的后路),不需要告诉老板对公司有多不认可,而且还要do your best to train your replacement(尽力把交接工作做好),这里所说的replacement指的是接替Lisa工作的那个人。Emily说,如此的话,目前的公司还能是Lisa的候补选项back-up option. Lisa感觉Emily这番话非常有道理,并保证自己在处置这件事的时候,Ill try to be as professional as possible. 这里的professional是专业的意思,as professional as possible意思是尽量根据职场的惯例去做。