Breakdown of El compañero explica que el nuevo puesto tiene un sueldo bajo.
tener
to have
un
a, an (masculine)
nuevo
new
bajo
short (height) / low
Questions & Answers about El compañero explica que el nuevo puesto tiene un sueldo bajo.
Can I drop que and just say El compañero explica el nuevo puesto tiene... like we do in English?
No, you cannot drop it. In Spanish reported speech, you must always use que (that) to connect the reporting verb (explica) to the statement. While we often skip "that" in English, it is mandatory in Spanish.
Why is the verb tiene in the present tense?
Because the reporting verb (explica) is in the present tense. When you report what someone says using a present tense verb, the second verb (tiene) stays exactly as the person originally said it. The colleague likely said, "The position has a low salary" (El puesto tiene...), so it stays in the present tense.
I learned that puesto is the past participle of poner (to put). Why is it used as "position" here?
You are right that puesto is the past participle of poner, but it is also a common noun. As a noun, el puesto means a "job position" or "post." It can also refer to a physical stand or stall, like at a food market.
Why does nuevo go before puesto, but bajo goes after sueldo?