礼节美语 Business Etiquette 144 International Certification (3)

　　Chris向一家香港公司的老板Hank和部门主管Rebecca介绍申请国际认证的程序。Hank觉得有点麻烦，可Rebecca认为值得，因为拿到国际认证，在美国和欧洲做生意就可以畅通无阻了。Chris赞同Rebecca的看法。
C: Rebecca is right. You might have to jump through a few hoops¹, but after it's over a lot of new doors are open for you.
H: So what about our treatment of workers?
C: Firstly, there must be documentation - such as birth certificates - proving that all workers are of legal age.
R: Yeah, I guess we can do that.
Chris解释说，虽说要费很多事jump through a few hoops, 意思是为了达到某一目的，而做出很多额外的努力，但是得到一纸证书后，a lot of new doors are open for you, 就会有很多扇大门为你打开。在工人待遇方面，首先要有birth certificates,出生证等文件证明documentation, 证明员工都达到了法定年龄, of legal age.
C: I will also need to interview a few of your employees to determine if they are getting enough breaks and to ensure they are not being required to work overtime² without pay.
R: Sure. Go ahead and interview them.
C: Then finally there is the issue of salaries. I have to make sure that everyone is getting paid at least the minimum wage.
H: Actually, we pay more than the minimum wage.
Chris说，他需要找员工面谈interview，看他们上班期间是不是有足够的休息时间。这里说的break是名词，意思是休息。Chris找员工面谈，还要看他们加班, work overtime是不是有报酬，并且确保员工的薪水满足了法定最低工资, the minimum wage的水平。
R: Is that pretty much it?
C: There are some other small things, but those are the big ones.
H: Well, even if getting certified³ is a bit of a hassle, it's probably a good idea.
R: Yeah, now I can feel confident that our company is safe and our workers are being treated fairly.
C: Yes, the paperwork can be a hassle, but in the end, it's a win-win situation.
H: Thanks for your help, Chris.
C: My pleasure.
Rebecca问，就这些吗？ Is that pretty much it? Chris表示，除去一些零七八碎的要求，申请国际认证的主要条件就是这些了。虽然申请过程中，the paperwork can be a hassle, 要准备很多文件，有些繁琐，but in the end, it's a win-win situation, 但最后一定会是双赢局面。

1 hoops   

n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓

参考例句：

• a barrel bound with iron hoops 用铁箍箍紧的桶
• Hoops in Paris were wider this season and skirts were shorter. 在巴黎，这个季节的裙圈比较宽大，裙裾却短一些。 来自飘（部分）

2 overtime   

adj.超时的，加班的；adv.加班地

参考例句：

• They are working overtime to finish the work.为了完成任务他们正在加班加点地工作。
• He was paid for the overtime he worked.他领到了加班费。

3 certified   

a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的

参考例句：

• Doctors certified him as insane. 医生证明他精神失常。
• The planes were certified airworthy. 飞机被证明适于航行。