地道美语听力播客:Job Layoffs

Phillip: So, have you heard the news?

Mary: No, what's up?

Phillip: I just heard that the company is planning to lay off 20 percent of the employees in the next two months.

Mary: You're kidding! I knew they were looking for some way to cut costs with the lower profits this quarter, but I didn't think that they would start laying people off.

Phillip: Yeah, it's hard to believe. That'll be hundreds of people losing their jobs. It's not just the salary. It means losing benefits, too. You know, I hope it's not going to be Sebastian. With three kids and a wife who's sick, that would really be a blow.

Mary: When will we know who's getting axed¹?

Phillip: I don't know if we'll get any warning. We might just get a pink slip on a Friday afternoon. Well, I'm going to start job hunting right now.

Mary: That's a good idea. The first thing I'm going to do is to call all of my friends and business contacts to let them know I'm on the market. Hopefully, I'll get a line on something soon. Thanks for letting me know.

Phillip: Sure. If I hear anything else, I'll let you know.

Mary: Thanks. I'll do the same.
 

1 axed   

v.（用斧）砍( axe的过去式和过去分词 )；精简（机构等）；大量削减（经费等）

参考例句：

• School grants are to be axed next year. 学校补助金明年将大大削减。 来自辞典例句
• After several months the project was axed by the government. 数月后政府中止了该项工程。 来自辞典例句