Mediation Task
Transfer information across contexts and registers using clear, natural English.
Lesson objectives
- Transfer key information clearly from Spanish into natural English.
- Adapt tone, audience and purpose more effectively.
- Summarise ideas about labour law, unions & workers' rights without sounding literal or translated.
Mediation
Escribe un correo electrónico informativo dirigido a tus compañeros de trabajo resumiendo los cambios propuestos y las acciones del sindicato. Utiliza un tono profesional pero cercano, adecuado para la comunicación interna entre colegas, y asegúrate de que la información sea clara y objetiva.
Texto original (español)
La dirección de la empresa ha anunciado un cambio en la política de horas extras. A partir del próximo mes, las horas adicionales ya no serán voluntarias, sino que se integrarán en el horario obligatorio de la plantilla para cubrir la demanda de producción. Aunque se mantendrá el pago correspondiente, la medida ha generado malestar. El sindicato ha convocado una reunión de urgencia para discutir cómo proteger el equilibrio entre la vida laboral y personal de los empleados. Se busca negociar un límite semanal de horas para evitar el agotamiento del personal.
Imagen de apoyo
🖼️ 
Estrategias clave
- Summarise the main points of the source text without copying word-for-word.
- Adapt the tone from a formal news report to a professional internal email.
- Synthesise the conflict between company needs and worker rights.
- Use appropriate transition words to connect the news with the proposed solutions.
- Maintain an objective yet empathetic perspective towards your colleagues.
- Ensure the final text is cohesive and follows the standard email structure.
Audiencia de destino
your colleagues
Respuesta modelo (English)
Subject: Important update regarding new working hour policies
Dear colleagues,
I am writing to update you all on the recent announcement regarding changes to our working hours. As you may have heard, the management has proposed a shift in how overtime is handled. Starting next month, additional hours will no longer be voluntary but will be integrated into our mandatory weekly schedule to meet production targets.
While the company has confirmed that all extra hours will be fully compensated, we understand that this change raises significant concerns regarding our work-life balance. To address this, the union has called an urgent meeting to negotiate terms that protect our well-being. The primary goal is to establish a weekly cap on hours to prevent burnout and ensure that these changes do not negatively impact our personal lives.
We will keep you informed as soon as the negotiations conclude. In the meantime, please feel free to share any thoughts or questions you may have. It is vital that we remain united during this transition.
Best regards,
[Your Name]