Workshop 07 — Job Offers & Benefits · Facilitator Lesson Plan

For: CSC office staff, case managers, bilingual volunteers You don't need to be an expert in benefits or tax. You need to be a calm bilingual presence who can read the offer letter on the screen with participants, point at the donut chart on Slide 6, and route real questions (W-4, 401(k) vesting, medical plan choices) to HR, VITA, or a CSC 1-on-1.

1 · At-a-Glance

2 · Learning Objectives

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Name the five things to check on an offer letter before signing (title, start date, pay, hours, benefits) — and know they can ask for a few days to review.
2. Explain why the offer letter number ≠ the bank deposit — and estimate take-home pay at roughly 75–80% of gross.
3. Identify the 401(k) employer match as part of their pay (not a bonus), and know to ask HR what % the match is.
4. Use one polite English sentence to ask for higher pay or more PTO — and know that asking once is normal U.S. practice, not rude.
5. Know who to call for wage problems (DLSE), tax forms (VITA/IRS Chinese line), and benefits questions (CSC 1-on-1).

3 · Pre-Workshop Checklist (15 minutes before start)

Tech

• Open slides at https://job-offers-workshop.pages.dev/ — test the language toggle (top-right "中文" button)
• Set language to match audience (default 中文)
• Click slide 6 once to confirm the "Reveal Net Pay" button works and the 78%/22% donut appears
• Click slide 10 once to confirm Q1 → Q2 reveal sequence works
• Test the projector mirror; arrow keys advance slides
• Bookmark the workshop URL on your phone as backup

Materials

• Print ~20 copies of /resources (it's 8 sections — folded in half = 4 pages)
• Print this Quick Reference Card (section 12) and have it on the podium
• Sign-in sheet (bilingual) at the door
• Pens at every seat
• Optional: one redacted sample offer letter to pass around if someone asks "what does it actually look like?"

Room

• Chairs in a U-shape if group ≤ 12; rows if ≥ 13
• Water available
• Wheelchair-accessible aisle if any participant has noted access needs

Yourself

• Skim this lesson plan once (15 min)
• Say the bilingual opening line aloud once
• Be ready for top 3 questions in section 8 (W-4 "Single/0", 401(k) match math, "can I lose my job for taking sick days")

4 · Audience Snapshot (read before walking in)

Mix in the room: people about to start a first U.S. job (restaurant, home care, retail, warehouse in SGV — Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, El Monte), people who already started and have a confusing first paycheck, and a few longtime workers who never had benefits explained in Chinese. Most accepted the offer because they needed the income — not because they evaluated it. That's normal. Frame "evaluating an offer" as something to do before signing OR within your first week — not a precondition to taking the job.

5 · Cultural & Bilingual Tips

• Don't shame "I already signed." Many accept any offer because they need work. Survival decision, not a mistake. Say: "如果您已经签了 Offer — 完全没问题,今天讲的可以用在下一份工作,或者跟现在的 HR 确认福利。"
• Reframe negotiation, don't push it. Asking for more pay can feel like 不识抬举 (ungrateful) or 讨价还价 (haggling). The phrase to use is 替自己说话 (speaking up for yourself). Never tell participants they "should" negotiate — present it as a normal U.S. option.
• Bilingual cadence. Say Chinese first, then English: "毛工资 — gross pay" / "净工资 — net pay" / "401(k) 配对 — employer match." Translate ONE key phrase per slide, not every sentence.
• Face-saving math. Don't call on individuals for the slide 6 math. Use "如果有人想试一下…" or walk the math yourself. The reveal button protects the room.
• Don't give benefits advice. "HMO or PPO?" → "这是您和家人决定的 — 我可以帮您列出问题问 HR." Route to HR or CSC 1-on-1, never recommend a plan.

6 · Slide-by-Slide Script

How to use: One block per slide. Total ≈ 30 min. SAY is verbatim or close. POINT TO keeps your finger on the visual. ASK turns the slide into a conversation. WATCH FOR is the confusion that shows up here. IF SHORT is your trim card.

Slide 1 · Title · ⏱ 1 min

SAY: "欢迎大家。今天用30分钟,讲三件事:Offer信怎么看、工资为什么少了一截、福利里哪些是免费的钱。" — "Welcome. In 30 minutes we'll cover three things: how to read an offer letter, why your paycheck is smaller than the offer, and which benefits are free money."

POINT TO: The workshop title; the 💼 icon.

ASK: "您今天来,最想搞清楚什么?" — "What do you most want clarity on today?" Take 2–3 quick answers; don't go deep.

WATCH FOR: Silence is normal. Wait 5 seconds. If still silent, share: "我希望大家走出去的时候,看到 Offer 信不会慌。"

IF SHORT: Skip the ASK. Welcome and advance.

Slide 2 · Agenda · ⏱ 1 min

SAY: "三件事:① Offer信 ② 工资 ③ 福利。每件事大概10分钟。" — "Three topics: ① the offer letter ② pay ③ benefits. About 10 minutes each."

POINT TO: The three numbered cards (①②③).

ASK: Skip — keep momentum. Promise the agenda and move on.

WATCH FOR: Nothing. This is a transit slide.

IF SHORT: 30 seconds is enough.

Slide 3 · Reading an Offer Letter · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "Offer 信不是合同,但是雇主的书面承诺。签字前,这五项一定要看清楚。" — "An offer letter isn't a contract, but it's the employer's written promise. Check these five things before you sign."

POINT TO: Each numbered row 1→5. Extra beat on #3 (Pay) and #5 (Benefits — "什么时候开始?要等 90 天吗?").

ASK: "您有没有看过 Offer 信?上面写了什么?" Take 1–2 hands. If none, describe: "通常一两页 — 公司抬头、姓名、入职日期、工资、福利、签字栏。"

WATCH FOR: Confusion that "offer letter" = "contract." Clarify: 入职后还会签雇佣协议、保密协议;Offer 信是录用通知。

IF SHORT: Read items 1, 3, 5 only.

STRETCH (advanced): "假设 Offer 信上只写了'competitive salary',没写具体数字 — 您会怎么回复 HR?" — "If the offer letter just says 'competitive salary' with no number, how would you reply to HR?" Push them to draft one English sentence asking for the figure in writing. Bridge to Slide 11.

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Hold up five fingers as you read each item — "① 职位 title ② 入职日 start date ③ 工资 pay ④ 工时 hours ⑤ 福利 benefits." Have the room raise one finger as you point to each. Visual + chorus. No English reading required.

Slide 4 · Hourly vs Salary · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "工资分两种:时薪和年薪。两者很不一样。" — "Two kinds of pay: hourly and salary. They work very differently."

POINT TO: Both columns. Especially "超过 40 小时算加班 (1.5×)" — overtime is a CA legal right for hourly.

ASK: "您现在是时薪还是年薪?" Show of hands. Most will be hourly. Validate: "加州法律,时薪超 40 小时必须算加班费。"

WATCH FOR: Biweekly vs Semi-monthly confusion. If asked: 双周 = 一年 26 次;月内两次 = 一年 24 次。

IF SHORT: Skip the pay-frequency note. Headlines only.

Slide 5 · Health Insurance — Three Words · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "医保三个词:Premium 月供、Deductible 自付额、Copay 挂号费。" — "Three health-insurance words: Premium (monthly), Deductible (yearly), Copay (per visit)."

POINT TO: Each card. Then the example: "月供 $150 · 自付额 $1,000 · 每次看医生 $30 — 一份典型的医保。"

ASK: Frame as info, not quiz: "工资单上叫 'medical' 或 'health' 的那一项,通常就是 Premium。"

WATCH FOR: (a) "Deductible" ≠ "deduction" — deductible is the yearly threshold before insurance pays. (b) Copay is your share, not the total visit cost.

IF SHORT: Skip Coinsurance and Out-of-pocket Max (on the handout).

Slide 6 · Activity — Calculate Take-Home Pay · ⏱ 5 min ⭐ KEY SLIDE

SAY: "现在算一下。小李时薪 $20,一周 40 小时,两周发薪 — 毛工资多少?" — "Li earns $20/hr, 40 hrs/week, biweekly — what's her gross?"

POINT TO: The Gross Pay $1,600 card. Walk: "20 × 40 = 800,× 2 = $1,600。Offer 信上写的就是这个。"

ASK: "您觉得她实际到手多少?" Take 2–3 guesses. Don't correct.

Then press "揭晓答案 · Reveal Net Pay." Deduction breakdown + donut appear.

POINT TO: The donut — "78% 到手,22% 被扣。" Walk deductions briskly: 联邦税 ~10% · 加州税 ~3% · 社安 6.2% · 医疗 1.45% · SDI 1%. "每个人不一样 — 看 W-4、医保、401(k)。"

WATCH FOR: Sticker shock. Let it land 3 seconds. Then reassure: "扣的不是白扣 — 社安和医疗退休时拿回来;SDI 是您病了或休产假时发您钱的保险。"

IF SHORT: Still reveal, but skip line-by-line. The donut alone teaches.

STRETCH (advanced): "如果小李存 3% 进 401(k),她到手会变多还是变少?为什么?" — "If Li puts 3% into 401(k), does her take-home go up or down — and why?" (Answer: down a little now — pre-tax dollars — but she also gets the employer match, which is free money. Don't quote a take-home %; route any "exactly how much" question to VITA.) Bridge to Slide 7.

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Don't read the deduction names in English. Point to the donut and say "78% 进口袋,22% 被扣 — 这是正常的,不是被骗。" — "78% in your pocket, 22% taken out — that's normal, not getting cheated." Walk the room past the donut once. Skip the line-by-line numbers; the picture is the lesson.

Two-phase gate: "next" blocked until you press reveal. Make the room guess first.

Slide 7 · 401(k) — Free Money · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "401(k) 是退休账户。雇主帮您存钱 — 这是您工资的一部分。不存等于放弃。" — "A 401(k) is a retirement account. The employer match is part of your pay. Not contributing = giving it up."

POINT TO: The three bars. "您存 3% = $60;雇主配 3% = $60;总共 6% = $120 — 您只出一半。"

ASK: "您的工作有没有 401(k) 配对?" Show of hands. If most say no, normalize: 餐厅、家政常常没有,但越来越多公司提供。If yes: "您知道配多少 % 吗?" If they don't — action item: 问 HR,或看入职文件。

WATCH FOR: "我没钱存退休。" Reframe: "存 3% 就拿雇主配的 3% — 不是省钱,是不丢钱。" Vesting question → see Q5.

IF SHORT: Bars only — "您一半,雇主一半." Skip vesting paragraph (on handout).

Slide 8 · PTO, Sick Days, Holidays · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "加州法律:带薪病假是您的权利,不是雇主的恩惠。所有工人都有 — 全职、兼职、临时工。" — "CA law: paid sick days are your right, not an employer gift. All workers — full-time, part-time, temp."

POINT TO: The "⚖️ 法律权利" featured card — "5 天每年最少 (2024 起)." Then briefly: 带薪休假 10–15 天 (not required by law), 联邦假日 6–11 天 (most employers give).

ASK: Tell, don't ask: "病假雇主不能扣工资、不能解雇您。如果发生了,打 DLSE — 213-620-6330。"

WATCH FOR: Quiet skepticism — some have had jobs where calling in sick = fired. Acknowledge: "有的雇主不遵守 — 但法律在您这边,CSC 可以帮您。"

IF SHORT: Featured card only.

Slide 9 · W-4 Form · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "W-4 告诉雇主从工资里扣多少税。入职第一天通常要填。" — "The W-4 tells your employer how much tax to withhold. Usually filled on day one."

POINT TO: The 5 steps. At Step 1, note: SSN 或 ITIN 都可以填。

ASK: "拿不准?最简单的方法 — '单身、0 家属'。多扣一点,报税时退回。" Safe default, not the only choice.

WATCH FOR: ITIN, dependents, married-filing-separately questions. Don't go deep. Route to CSC 1-on-1 or VITA (Jan–Apr). Say: "W-4 填错可以随时改 — 不会出大事。"

IF SHORT: "5 步走 — 拿不准填'单身、0 家属'." Advance.

Slide 10 · Quiz — True or False · ⏱ 4 min

SAY: "两道题 — 对还是错?举手投票。"

Q1: "Offer 信上的工资 = 每次发薪到手的钱。" Vote. Most will say FALSE. Press "揭晓答案 1." Confirm FALSE — gross ≠ net, ~20–25% less.

Q2 (appears after Q1): "雇主有 401(k) 配对,我不存 — 没损失。" Vote. Most will say FALSE. Press "揭晓答案 2." Confirm FALSE — "配对就是您工资的一部分。"

POINT TO: The verdict badge each time. Read the Chinese explanation aloud.

ASK: Between Q1 and Q2: "对了 — 因为这是今天最重要的一课。"

WATCH FOR: Don't single out anyone who voted TRUE. Reveal, re-explain in one sentence.

IF SHORT: Q1 only.

Two-phase gate: "next" blocked until Q2 revealed.

Slide 11 · When to Negotiate vs Accept · ⏱ 3 min ⭐ CULTURAL SLIDE

SAY: "中文里'谈判'像讨价还价 — 让人不舒服。在美国这叫'替自己说话' — 雇主预期您会问。问一句不会得罪人。" — "'Negotiation' sounds like haggling in Chinese. In the U.S. this is 'speaking up for yourself' — employers expect it. Asking once doesn't offend."

POINT TO: LEFT column FIRST — "可以直接接受." Normalize accepting. Many participants only have one offer and need work — don't shame that. Then RIGHT column for those with leverage.

ASK: "在美国问一句薪水可以更高,算不算没礼貌?" Take 1–2 answers. Then: "不算 — 雇主有时候报价就预留了谈判空间。"

POINT TO: The English script: "Thank you for the offer. Based on my experience, would you consider $X?" Read aloud. Have the room repeat if they're game.

WATCH FOR: "我英文不好。" Reframe: "可以用 email — 不必当场说。写 'May I have a few days to review?' 然后跟 CSC 一对一讨论怎么回。"

IF SHORT: Skip right column. Read the script. The script is the takeaway.

STRETCH (advanced): "如果 HR 说'我们的预算就是这样' — 您怎么接?" — "If HR says 'this is our budget,' how do you respond?" Coach them toward asking for non-pay items: more PTO, signing bonus, 401(k) match start date, work-from-home days. Frame: "工资谈不动,其他还可以问。" Don't tell them what to choose — route specifics to CSC 1-on-1.

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Chorus practice. Have the whole room say it together, slowly, twice: "May I . . . have a few days . . . to review?" Then once at normal speed. The phrase IS the deliverable — if they walk out with this one English sentence in memory, the slide worked. Don't push the longer "Thank you for the offer, based on my experience…" script on a beginner-heavy room.

Slide 12 · CSC Services · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "今天每一项,CSC 都可以一对一帮您 — 免费,双语,不问移民身份。"

POINT TO: The 6 cards. Especially "Offer Letter Help" and "W-4 Filing Help" — the two most-asked.

ASK: "想约一对一?下课跟我说。"

WATCH FOR: Lingerers — they have private paycheck questions. Stay 5 min after.

IF SHORT: Just the phone number and address.

Slide 13 · Resources + QR · ⏱ 1 min

SAY: "拿一张资料 — 术语、扣款、W-4、本地电话都在上面。扫二维码看完整在线版。"

POINT TO: QR + 3 key phones: CSC 213-808-1758, IRS 1-800-829-1040 (中文按 8), DLSE 213-620-6330.

ASK: "下一步,您想做什么?一件事就好。"

WATCH FOR: People photographing the QR = the win. Lingerers = also the win.

IF SHORT: QR + handout. Close out.

7 · Interactive Moments

8 · Common Participant Questions (Q&A Anchor)

Rule: No legal, tax, immigration, or medical advice. Always route to a named resource. For complex benefits questions, route to HR (their employer's), SHRM-certified pros, or CSC 1-on-1. For tax, route to VITA (Jan–Apr) or IRS Chinese line.

Q1: 我已经签了 Offer — 今天讲的还有用吗?

You say: "完全有用。现在可以跟 HR 确认 401(k) 配对、医保生效日、PTO 怎么累积。下一份工作也用得上。" Route to: CSC 1-on-1 — bring offer letter + last paystub.

Q2: 工资单跟 Offer 信不一样,被骗了吗?

You say: "Offer 上是毛工资,工资单是净工资。看扣了哪些 — 税、社安、医疗、SDI、医保、401(k)。如果项目都正常,只是数字小了 — 那是正常的。如果工时不对、加班费没给,那是另一回事。" Route to: CSC 1-on-1 if amount looks wrong; DLSE 213-620-6330 for wage theft / unpaid overtime.

Q3: HMO 还是 PPO?

You say: "这是您跟家人决定的 — 我不能帮选。HMO 便宜但医生选定;PPO 贵选择多。先查您固定看的医生在哪个网络里。" Route to: Employer HR; CSC benefits counseling 1-on-1.

Q4: W-4 填错会怎么样?

You say: "可以随时改。扣多了报税时退;扣少了报税时补。一年总数最后会算清。" Route to: CSC W-4 1-on-1; IRS Chinese line 1-800-829-1040 press 8; VITA Jan–Apr.

Q5: 401(k) 配对的钱什么时候归我?

You say: "自己存的马上归您。雇主配的有 'vesting 归属期' — 通常 3–5 年才完全归您。离职前问 HR:'What's my vesting percentage?'" Route to: Employer HR for exact %; CSC 1-on-1 to weigh the trade-off if considering leaving.

Q6: 可以请病假吗?会被开除吗?

You say: "加州法律保护您 — 每年至少 5 天带薪病假,所有工人都有。雇主不能扣工资、不能解雇您。如果发生了,打 DLSE。" Route to: DLSE 213-620-6330; CSC for help filing a complaint.

Q7: 我只有 ITIN — 可以填 W-4 吗?可以存 401(k) 吗?

You say: "W-4 可以填 ITIN。401(k) 通常需要雇主发 W-2 — 大多数情况可以。具体看雇主规定。" Route to: Employer HR; CSC 1-on-1.

Q8: 可以要几天考虑 Offer 吗?

You say: "可以,这是正常的。说 'Thank you. May I have a few days to review the offer?' 大多数雇主会给 2–7 天。这段时间来 CSC 帮您看看。" Route to: CSC offer letter review 1-on-1.

Q9: 在蒙特利公园 / 阿罕布拉 / 圣盖博的中餐馆、家政、99 Ranch — 老板说 "不报税现金发" — 这样有什么风险?

You say: "全现金、不报税,听起来工资多一点。但是:1) 您没有工资单,租房、贷款、申请福利都用不上;2) 没缴社安和医疗,退休、残障一分钱也拿不到;3) 雇主犯法,出事的时候没保险;4) 加州法律要求 W-2,如果是 1099 (独立承包),自己要付双倍的社安和医疗税。可以问雇主能不能用 W-2。" Route to: CSC 1-on-1 to weigh the trade-off; DLSE 213-620-6330 if employer is misclassifying.

9 · Recovery Plans

Internet fails: Use printed handouts; open the bookmarked URL on your phone (slides work offline via service worker). Skip external links.

Only 3 show up: Sit in a circle. Skip show-of-hands; ask individually. Spend more time on slides 6 and 11. Ask if anyone brought a paystub or offer letter — read it together.

25+ show up: Cluster chairs in 4s. Use the mic. On slide 6, pair-share guesses for 30 sec before revealing. Stay 5 extra minutes after for private questions.

Silent group: Wait 7 seconds before re-asking. Use "如果有人…" framing. Share a story: "上个月有位客户,Offer $25/hr,第一张工资单只有 $19 — 她以为被骗了,其实是正常扣税。"

One participant dominates with a specific case: "谢谢分享。这个比较具体,下课后我跟您一对一聊 — 大家其他人有问题吗?" Walk toward another part of the room as you say it.

Running long (>5 min over at halftime): Skip IF SHORT items on slides 4, 5, 8, 9. Run Q1 only on slide 10. Keep slides 6 and 11 — keystones.

If you finish early (5 / 10 / 15 min spare):

Don't default to "any questions?" — silence will eat the time. Run one of these activities matched to your spare-time budget.

• 5 min spare — Round-the-room one-word check: "用一个词,告诉大家您今天最想问 HR 的一件事是什么?" / "In one word, what's the one thing you most want to ask HR after today?" Take 8–10 quick answers (e.g., "401(k)," "vesting," "sick days," "PTO"). Closes the loop without dragging. If a participant says something that needs a real route (DLSE, VITA), name it in one breath and move on.
• 10 min spare — Run the Finish-Early Extension in §13: pass around 1–2 redacted offer letters; pairs spot the 5 checklist items from Slide 3 and identify one missing / unclear item to ask HR about. Topic-specific, hands-on, no new content.
• 15 min spare — Use the first sub-block of the 60-Min Variant (see §13) — the paystub line-by-line read-along. Anchors on Slide 6, the keystone.

If a question goes runaway long:

• "好问题。让我先记下来,我们在 1-on-1 / 资源页面里看更深 — 工资、税、福利每个人情况不一样,值得单独看。" — "Good question. Let me write it down — we'll go deeper in 1-on-1 / on the resource page. Wage, tax, and benefit details depend on individual circumstances and deserve their own look."
• Write it visibly on a whiteboard or paper "parking lot." Move on.

Question you don't know: "好问题。让我跟同事核实 — 您留个微信或电话,我们联系您。" Write it down. Route to CSC 1-on-1, VITA, or HR. NEVER guess on tax/benefits/legal.

10 · Closing & Next Steps (last 5 minutes)

SAY (verbatim): "今天就到这里。三件事请记得:1) Offer 信不是合同,但签字前看清楚 5 项。2) 毛工资 ≠ 到手,大概 75–80% 到手。3) 401(k) 配对 = 免费的钱,至少存到拿全配对。下一步,请大家:1) 拿走资料 2) 扫二维码看在线资源 3) 想约一对一时间的,跟我说一下 — 拿着您的 Offer 信或工资单来。"

Translation: "That's all for today. Three things to remember: 1) An offer letter isn't a contract, but check 5 things before signing. 2) Gross ≠ take-home — expect ~75–80%. 3) The 401(k) match is free money — contribute at least enough to get the full match. Next steps: 1) take the handout 2) scan the QR for online resources 3) if you want a 1-on-1, see me after — bring your offer letter or paystub."

Hand out: Resources handout. Point to the QR code. Show the CSC phone number (213-808-1758) at the bottom.

Send them to:

• https://job-offers-workshop.pages.dev/resources — the participant resource page (8 sections, printable)
• CSC 1-on-1 for offer letter review, W-4 filing help, benefits counseling — 213-808-1758, 767 N Hill St, Los Angeles CA 90012
• VITA (Jan–Apr) for free tax help — dial 211 in LA County
• DLSE (213-620-6330) for wage problems, denied sick leave, unpaid overtime

11 · Post-Workshop Tasks (within 24 hours)

• Save the sign-in sheet (scan or photograph)
• Note total attendance + brief mood in the workshop log
• Send the "thank you for attending" WeChat message to any participant who shared contact info — include slides URL and resources URL
• Schedule the 1-on-1 follow-ups you committed to (offer letter reviews, W-4 help)
• If anyone asked a question you couldn't answer, write it down for the next staff sync
• Flag any slide that confused the room — note for the next audit pass

12 · Quick Reference Card (print this page)

One sheet. Clipboard. Lectern. Glance during the workshop.

Workshop 07 — Job Offers & Benefits · 30 min

Agenda strip (total ≈ 31 min):

1. (slides 1–2) Welcome + agenda — 2 min
2. (slides 3–5) Offer letter + pay + health insurance — 8 min
3. (slide 6) Paycheck reveal activity — 5 min ⭐
4. (slides 7–9) 401(k) + PTO + W-4 — 6 min
5. (slide 10) True/False quiz — 4 min
6. (slide 11) Negotiation reframe — 3 min ⭐
7. (slides 12–13) CSC + resources + close — 3 min

If running long: cut the slides flagged in §9 first (IF SHORT on slides 4, 5, 8, 9; Q1 only on slide 10). Keep slides 6 and 11 — keystones. Convert any pair-shares to "think 30 sec + raise hand."

If you finish early:

• 5 min spare → round-the-room one-word check ("one thing to ask HR")
• 10 min spare → §13 Finish-Early Extension (redacted offer-letter spot-check)
• 15+ min spare → §13 first sub-block (paystub line-by-line read-along)

Top 5 questions you'll get:

1. "工资单跟 Offer 不一样,被骗了吗?" → Gross vs net, route DLSE if numbers wrong
2. "HMO 还是 PPO?" → Decision is theirs + HR; CSC benefits counseling 1-on-1
3. "W-4 填错怎么办?" → Can be changed anytime; CSC W-4 help
4. "401(k) 配对什么时候归我?" → Vesting 3–5 years; ask HR for %
5. "能请病假吗?会被开除吗?" → CA law protects 5 days minimum; DLSE if violated

Emergency phrases:

• Silence: "如果有人…" (if someone…)
• Redirect: "这个问题比较具体,下课后我跟您一对一聊。"
• No answer: "好问题。让我跟同事确认一下,联系您。"
• Out of scope: "这个最好问 HR / VITA / 律师。CSC 可以帮您联系。"
• Already signed: "完全没问题 — 今天讲的可以用在确认现在的福利,或下一份工作。"

Three numbers/facts to know cold:

• Take-home ≈ 75–80% of gross. $1,600 gross → ~$1,200–1,280 net.
• CA sick leave: 5 days/year minimum, all workers (2024+), legal right.
• 401(k) match = part of your pay. Typical 3–6%. Not contributing = giving up free money.

Two-phase slides (DON'T forget to click reveal):

• Slide 6 — "揭晓答案 · Reveal Net Pay" → reveals deductions + donut
• Slide 10 — "揭晓答案 1" then "揭晓答案 2" → Q1 → Q2 sequence

Key phone numbers:

• CSC: 213-808-1758 · 767 N Hill St, LA 90012
• IRS Chinese: 1-800-829-1040 press 8
• DLSE (wage problems): 213-620-6330
• EDD (SDI/PFL): 1-800-300-5616 press 2
• VITA (free tax, Jan–Apr): dial 211 in LA County

If something breaks:

• WiFi out → printed handout + phone backup
• Projector dies → walk slides 3, 6, 11 printed pages around the room
• Reveal button won't click → press the spacebar or right-arrow key
• Question I can't answer → "我跟同事确认,联系您。" + write it down

13 · 60-Minute Variant (when you have a full hour)

Use this when: Your slot is 60 minutes instead of 30+10, OR you finish the core 30-min teach with significant time remaining, OR the room asks for hands-on practice ("can we look at my paystub?"). The variant ADDS 30 min of applied work after the 30-min core — it does NOT re-run the same slides.

Don't lecture longer. The 30-min core is calibrated to LEP-adult attention. Extra time goes to PRACTICE on real documents — paystubs, offer letters, an email to HR — not more teaching.

Routing reminder before you start: Hands-on does NOT mean you give advice. Read the document, name what the line says, route any "how much will I owe / can I keep" question to VITA (Jan–Apr, dial 211), the IRS Chinese line (1-800-829-1040, press 8), or CSC 1-on-1. Never quote a take-home %. Never tell anyone what to put on a W-4.

Finish-Early Extension (10 min — drop in mid-workshop or at close)

The activity: Pairs read 1–2 redacted real offer letters and spot-check against the 5-item checklist from Slide 3 (title, start date, pay, hours, benefits). Each pair flags one item that's missing or unclear and drafts one question they'd ask HR.

• Setup (1 min): Hand each pair a redacted offer letter (your own old offer, a public template, or a CSC-prepped sample — anonymize the company, name, salary, SSN/ITIN first). Say: "两人一组,用 Slide 3 的 5 项对照这封 Offer 信。哪一项写清楚了?哪一项缺了或不清楚?" — "In pairs, check this offer letter against Slide 3's 5 items. Which are clear? Which are missing or vague?"
• Activity (7 min): Pairs work through it. Facilitator + bilingual volunteer rovers walk the room, listen for tone, and gently re-route any pair that drifts into "what's a good salary?" — that question goes to CSC 1-on-1, not group debate. Watch for ITIN / immigration questions in the margins — route to CSC 1-on-1 without judgement.
• Debrief (2 min): Call on 2 pairs. One says what was clear; one says what was missing. Facilitator names ONE question the missing item invites — e.g., "Offer 信没写 401(k) — 您可以回 HR: 'Could you share details on the 401(k) match and when it starts?'" Close: "回家看您自己的 Offer 信 — 这 5 项都有吗?没有的,问 HR,不丢脸。"

60-Minute Variant — Applied Block (30 min, added after Slide 11)

This block extends the keystone slides (Slide 6 paystub + Slide 11 negotiation script) into hands-on practice. It uses real documents and produces one concrete artifact each participant takes home: an email draft to HR.

Time: 30 min (35 if you include the 5-min wrap below)

Materials added:

• One redacted sample paystub per pair (your own, anonymized — black out name, SSN, full address, employer name). 8–10 copies for a room of 20.
• One blank "Email to HR" template half-sheet per participant — pre-printed with the bilingual prompt "Dear [HR Name], I'm following up on my offer. Could you confirm the 401(k) employer match percentage and when contributions begin? Thank you, [Name]" and 6 blank lines for them to write their own version.
• Pens (already on the materials list — confirm enough).
• Bilingual volunteer rovers (2 if room ≥ 15) for tone-check during sub-blocks 2 and 3.

Sub-block 1 — Paystub Read-Along · ⏱ 10 min ⭐ KEYSTONE EXTENSION

Anchors on Slide 6. Walk the room through reading a real paystub end-to-end.

• Setup (1 min): Project the redacted sample paystub OR hand pairs a printed copy. Say: "今天讲的扣款,我们在真的工资单上看一遍。我读一行,您找那行 — 不会的就问邻居或举手。" — "We'll find the deductions from Slide 6 on a real paystub. I'll name a line; you find it. Ask your neighbor or raise your hand."
• Walk-through (8 min): Read the lines in this order, pausing 30–45 sec each. Point to the column on screen. Have the room point on their copy. 1. Gross Pay 毛工资 — "Offer 信上的数字就是这个。" 2. Federal Income Tax 联邦税 — "扣多少看您的 W-4。" 3. State Tax 加州税 (CA SIT) — "加州的州税。" 4. Social Security 社安 (FICA-OASDI) — "6.2%, 退休时拿回来。" 5. Medicare 医疗 (FICA-MED) — "1.45%, 65 岁后用。" 6. CA SDI — "1%, 生病或产假时发您钱。" 7. Pre-tax deductions — health premium, 401(k) if any — "这些扣完才算税。" 8. YTD column 今年累计 — "这一年总共扣了多少 / 拿了多少。重要 — 报税时对照。" 9. Net Pay 净工资 — "到手的钱。"
• Debrief (1 min): "回家拿您的工资单,看这 9 行都在哪里。看不懂的画个圈,带来 1-on-1。" Do NOT compute anyone's total tax %. If asked: "总数我不能算 — 每个人 W-4、家庭情况不一样。VITA 1月到 4月免费帮您算 — 拨打 211 (LA County)。"

Sub-block 2 — "May I have a few days to review?" Practice Aloud · ⏱ 10 min

Anchors on Slide 11. Move from chorus → pair-rehearsal → confident solo.

• Setup (1 min): "Slide 11 的那句话 — 我们练熟。这句话不论您英文好不好,都用得上 — 写在 email 里也行,电话里也行。"
• Chorus (2 min): Whole room together, slowly, three times: "May I . . . have a few days . . . to review the offer?" Then once at natural pace. Then add the polite opener: "Thank you for the offer. May I have a few days to review?"
• Pair-rehearsal (5 min): Pair up. One plays HR ("We'd like to offer you the position. Can you start Monday?"); one plays the candidate. Switch after 2 min. Bilingual rovers listen for tone — tense, apologetic, or rushed delivery is normal; reassure that it's fine to say it slowly. Watch for over-coaching toward higher pay — the script today is "ask for time," not "negotiate salary."
• Debrief (2 min): Two volunteers say it to the room. Affirm both. Name the next step: "拿到几天时间后,把 Offer 信带来 CSC,我们一起看 — 5 项都对吗?"

Sub-block 3 — Draft One Email to HR (401(k) Match %) · ⏱ 10 min

Anchors on Slide 7. Produces a real artifact each participant takes home.

• Setup (1 min): Hand out the "Email to HR" half-sheet. Say: "401(k) 配对多少 % — 是 HR 应该告诉您的。我们今天写一封一句话的 email 问出来。" Point to the pre-printed prompt; offer it as a template OR a starting point.
• Drafting (6 min): Each participant writes ONE sentence in English asking HR the 401(k) match %. Beginners can copy the template verbatim and just sign their name. Advanced learners can add a second sentence asking about vesting ("Could you also share the vesting schedule?"). Bilingual rovers help with spelling, NOT with deciding contribution amounts or weighing whether to enroll — those go to CSC 1-on-1.
• Read-back (3 min): Call on 3 volunteers. They read their sentence aloud. Affirm: "这是一个礼貌、清楚、不冒犯的 email。HR 看到会觉得很专业。" Send-home action: "今天就发,或者明天早上 9 点发。HR 通常 1–2 个工作日回。" Caveat: "如果您还没入职 — 这种问题在收到 Offer 之后、签字之前问最合适。"

Close (5 min, optional): If you have 65 min total, run a round-robin one-line share: "今天最大的收获,一句话。" Take one from each participant. Names the take-away and closes the room with their own voice, not yours.

When to use what — quick rules

Differentiation in the variant

• For advanced learners: Run the full 60-Min Variant. They need the application, especially the email-to-HR draft — they often already have an offer in hand or a job they want to ask questions of. Give them the STRETCH prompts (vesting schedule, "competitive salary" reply).
• For mixed-proficiency rooms: During Sub-block 1, pair an advanced participant with a beginner — the advanced reads the English line names, the beginner points to the column. Both learn. During Sub-block 3, advanced learners can help beginners with spelling.
• For beginner-heavy rooms: Shrink Sub-block 3 to 5 min — have beginners copy the template verbatim and sign their name. That's enough. Expand Sub-block 1 to 15 min so the paystub vocabulary lands. Drop the "advanced second sentence" entirely. The artifact is the same: one signed email ready to send.

Routing & boundary

Same rules as the 30-min core: no legal, tax, immigration, or medical advice. Hands-on activities focus on document-reading, form-filling, script-rehearsal — NOT decision-making for the participant's individual case.

• Total-tax math (any "what's my real %?" question) → VITA (Jan–Apr, dial 211 in LA County) or IRS Chinese line 1-800-829-1040 press 8. Never quote a take-home % beyond the "≈ 75–80%" range from Slide 6.
• Wage disputes / unpaid OT / denied sick leave → DLSE 1-833-526-4636 (statewide) or 213-620-6330 (LA local) and CSC for filing help.
• W-4 / ITIN / dependents → CSC 1-on-1 or VITA. Do not coach the participant on what to put.
• Benefit plan choice (HMO vs PPO, 401(k) % to contribute) → their HR + CSC benefits counseling 1-on-1. Never recommend.

Always close by naming the 1-on-1 follow-up: "拿着您的 Offer 信或工资单,来 CSC — 213-808-1758。我们一起看,不收费,双语,不问移民身份。"

14 · Flashcards & Activities · 随身卡片与活动

There is a 6-card take-home deck for this workshop — vocabulary, a dialogue, a fact sheet, tips, useful info, and a diagram. 这个工作坊有一套 6 张随身卡片:关键词、对话、数据、小贴士、有用信息、图示。

Print 打印: 打开卡片 Open the deck · 直接打印 Print now. Prints 2 cards per landscape sheet (3 sheets per deck). Print one deck per participant, plus 1–2 spare decks for games; cut along the dashed lines. 每人一套,另备 1–2 套做游戏用。

Hand them out at the close (§10) — the deck is the take-home companion to the written action plan. 在结尾(第 10 节)发给大家,和写下的行动计划一起带回家。

Best-fit activities for THIS workshop (full menu of 8 at the flashcards page) · 这个工作坊最适合的两个活动(完整 8 个活动见卡片页):

1. 看图说话 · Explain the Picture (图示卡 visual · 2 分钟) — 一人用自己的话(中文也行)解释那张图,另一人补充一点。 One partner explains the diagram in their own words; the other adds one thing.
2. 你会打给谁? · Who Would You Call? (有用信息卡 resources · 2–3 分钟) — 讲师给一个真实情景,大家指出该找卡上哪个资源、打哪个电话。 Facilitator reads a real scenario; participants point to the right resource on the card.

Always close with · 收尾必做 — 带走一张 Keep One Card (whole deck 整套 · 2 min): each participant picks the ONE card most useful to them right now and tells a neighbor why. 每人选一张对自己最有用的卡,告诉旁边的人为什么 — 给他们一个具体的、带得走的东西。