Economic & Labor Terms
What is the term for insufficient workers to meet demand?
labor shortages
What is lifetime employment?
the traditional Japanese job-for-life model
What does it mean to "buck the trend"?
to resist prevailing tendencies
What does "albeit slowly" imply?
although gradual
Define corporate reforms
structural changes in business practices
Describe seniority-based promotion.
advancement by tenure, not merit
Describe what it means to erode longstanding norms.
to gradually weaken traditions
Explain "by dint of."
because of (formal)
What does job-hopping mean?
frequently changing jobs
What is a conformist mindset?
a preference for traditional norms
What does it mean to foment change?
to encourage transformation
What does "a far cry from" mean?
is very different from
Explain the concept of being stigmatized in the workplace.
being socially disapproved
Define attrition rates.
employee turnover figures
Explain how one can capitalize on opportunities.
to exploit favorable conditions
Describe what it means for a concern to "loom large."
to be a significant concern
What is the demographic crunch?
the workforce decline due to aging
What does disillusionment refer to in a job context?
he loss of faith in a system
What does it mean to grapple with a problem?
to struggle to address an issue
Provide an example of how a pervasive mindset can affect work culture.
a widespread attitude that influences employee behavior and expectations