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Learning English For Work

Office English: Saying no

5/18/20268 min

Is it OK to say no at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about setting boundaries at work.

Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250407

Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating\_speaking\_anxiety

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This programme was originally broadcast in April 2025.

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Neil· Soundbite0:00

    This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  2. Speaker 20:03

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  3. Speaker 30:30

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  4. Speaker 40:34

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  5. Pippa· Host0:50

    Thanks for listening to this podcast. We're working on new episodes of Office English for you. In the meantime, here's an episode from last year to help you revise your business English. Enjoy. Is it okay to say no at work?

  6. Beth· Soundbite1:07

    I think it can be quite difficult to say no, because you don't wanna let the other person down.

  7. Neil· Soundbite1:13

    [upbeat music] I think if we have all kind of agreed that we're doing something in a certain way, then it becomes easier to say, "Well, that's not what we agreed, so no."

  8. Beth· Soundbite1:24

    [laughs] I definitely want to be able to help them, but also I've got to think about whether

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