Present simple for describing company policies and procedures
1. Warm-up: What are the rules?
Discuss these questions:
- What are some common rules in an office?
- Think about a job you have, or a job you want. What time do you start and finish work?
- Do you have a dress code (rules about what to wear)?
- How many breaks do you get during the day?
2. Workplace vocabulary
Drag the terms from the word bank to match them with their correct definitions.
3. Listening: Company policy briefing
Listen to the audio and fill in the gaps with the appropriate words from the transcript.
Our company policy states that all employees must clock in daily. We always expense reports by Friday. The HR department all leave requests. We usually have two 15-minute . The team also every Monday morning. It mandatory to attend. Compliance with this procedure everyone is informed.
4. Grammar focus: The Present Simple
We use the present simple to talk about company policies, procedures, and rules because they are facts, habits, or routines that are always true for the company.
Structure
- Positive: Subject + verb (+s/es).
Example: The company provides lunch. All employees attend the training. - Negative: Subject + do/does + not + verb.
Example: The office does not open on weekends. We do not accept late submissions. - Question: Do/Does + subject + verb?
Example: Does the policy cover travel? Do I need to clock in?
5. Grammar practice: Choose the correct form
Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence about company rules.
1. The safety protocol ______ all employees to wear a helmet.
2. We ______ work from home on Fridays according to the new policy.
3. ______ the manager need to approve all vacation requests?
4. All new staff members ______ a mandatory compliance session.
5. The main office ______ at 6 PM sharp every day.
6. Speaking practice: Onboarding a new employee
Work with a partner. One person is a new employee and the other is an HR manager. The new employee asks questions about company policies, and the manager explains them.
Use the present simple to ask and answer questions about:
- Working hours & breaks
- Dress code
- Submitting expense reports
- Requesting time off
- Company communication protocol
Useful Phrases
- Asking questions: "What time do we...?", "Do I need to...?", "What is the procedure for...?", "Does the company have a policy on...?"
- Explaining policies: "The company requires...", "All employees submit...", "Our policy states that...", "We don't allow...", "The office opens at..."