WORK is a common topic in IELTS. Here is a list of words that you need to know to get a good score.

1. Labor productivity
Meaning: the rate at which a worker, a company or a country produces goods, and the amount produced, compared with how much time, work and money is needed to produce them
Example: Wage rates depend on levels of labor productivity.

2. Unemployment benefits
Meaning: money paid by the government to somebody who is unemployed
Example: In times of economic crisis, the amount paid in unemployment benefits is an added burden on the government budget.

3. To acquire experience/knowledge/skill:
Meaning: to gain experience/knowledge/skill by your own efforts or behavior
Example: Some school leavers prefer to acquire experience working in a. chosen profession rather than entering university.

4. Put knowledge gained into practice
Meaning: to put to practical use the knowledge that you have acquired
Example: Vocational training courses enable students to put the knowledge gained during their studies into practice.

5. Minimum wage
Meaning: the lowest wage that an employer is allowed to pay by law
Example: A minimum wage is necessary in order to ensure a decent standard of living for low-paid workers.

6. To job-share
Meaning: to share the hours of work and the pay of one job between two people
Example: Many employers are willing to employ people part-time or allow them to job-share, as long as the duties of each person are clear

7. Flexible working hours
Meaning: hours of work that can be changed by agreement between the employer and the employee
Example: For some employees, flexible working hours are more important even than a high salary.

8. Health and safety in the workplace
Meaning: Conditions which are safe and are not a danger to health in factories, offices or other places where people work
Example: Government inspectors should regularly monitor companies to ensure that standards of health and safety in the workplace are observed.

9. Working mothers
Meaning: Mothers who have to go out to work as well as to look after children
Example: Workplace practices such as job-sharing and flexible working hours have made life easier for working mothers.

10.To take early retirement
Meaning: to stop working before reaching the age at which people usually stop working
Example: Older employees should take early retirement to give young people a better chance to find work.

11. Retirement package
Meaning: the money or other benefits that you receive from a company or organization when you stop working there because of your age
Example: Companies who value their employees should offer a generous retirement package.

12. Holiday entitlement
Meaning: the number of days off work that you are allowed as holidays
Example: It is important to know the holiday entitlement before accepting a job.

13. Sick leave
Meaning: permission to stay away from work because of illness or injury
Example: Important factors when choosing a job include holiday entitlement, sick leave and a company pension scheme.

14. Annual leave
Meaning: a period of time when you are allowed to be away from work for a holiday/vacation
Example: Parents often take their annual leave at the same time as the longschool holidays.

15. Job prospects
Meaning: the chances of being successful and having more opportunities at work
Example: People with qualifications and experience usually have the best job prospects.

16. Promotion opportunities
Meaning: chances to move to a more important position in a company or organization
Example: Perhaps the most important factor when choosing a job are the promotion opportunities/promotion prospects.

17. To move up the career ladder
Meaning: a series of stages by which you can make progress in your career
Example: Ambitious employees look for a job in which there is a chance to move up the career ladder.

18. To pursue a successful career
Meaning: to have a series of jobs in a particular area of work, with more responsibility as time passes
Example: While many people wish to pursue a successful career, for others it is more important to find work which is interesting and enjoyable.

19. To take a career break
Meaning: a period of time when you do not do your usual job, for example because you have children to care for
Example: Some companies offer female employees the opportunity to take a career break for a few years if they have young children to care for.

20. To have no career ambitions
Meaning: to have no desire to be successful or to move up the career ladder
Example: Those who are content to do the same job and have no career ambitions are often happier in their work and do not suffer from stress.

21. Job satisfaction
Meaning: the good feeling that you get when you have a job that you enjoy
Example: A high salary is not necessarily the most important factor in job satisfaction.

22. Working environment
Meaning: the conditions that you work in
Example: If work is to be enjoyable, then a friendly working environment is essential.

23. Supportive work colleagues
Meaning: people that you work with who give you help and encouragement
Example: A very important aspect of job satisfaction is having supportive work colleagues.

24. To be a good team player
Meaning: to be cooperative and work well as a member of a team
Example: In the modern working environment, it is important to be a good team player and communicate with colleagues.

25. A heavy workload
Meaning: a lot of work that an individual employee has to perform
Example: While some people enjoy the challenge of a heavy workload, others find too much work very stressful.

26. Labour-intensive
Meaning: (of work) needing a lot of people to do it
Example: New technology has replaced the need for workers to do many labour-intensive jobs, such as producing cars.

27. An internship
Meaning: a period of time in which a student or new graduate gets practical experience in a job
Example: In order to gain essential professional experience, graduates should do an internship if they have the opportunity

28. A desk job
Meaning: a job in an office, where you sit and work all day at a table or desk
Example: Many young people enjoy the excitement of a dangerous profession to the boring routine of a desk job.

29. To have a steady job
Meaning: to have a job which you are unlikely to lose, but which is usually the same routine
Example: Although some people prefer to change jobs, others prefer to have a steady job and a set daily routine at work.

30. To dismiss somebody (from something)
Meaning: to officially remove somebody from their job
Example: Employment legislation prevents employers from dismissing an employee without a good reason.