[Culture ★★]
(P1) Sweden, one of the world’s most advanced countries, has started to introduce a six-hour workday for its employees. Around the country, companies are making this change in order to make workers more productive and happier. At the same time, breaks and meetings are kept to a minimum at work, so that workers can concentrate on their job and not get distracted.
(P2) Labor experts say that the traditional eight-hour work day is very hard to endure. Workers cannot focus on their job for such a long period of time. On the other hand, many workers have a hard time going through their private life after a hard day at work.
(P3) The change comes at a time when many employees around the world work 50 to 60 hours and more a week.
WORDS: 130
SOURCE: http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/europe/sweden-introduces-six-hour-work-day.htm
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly, summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- How many hours do you work or study per day?
- How many hours is the normal full-time workday in your country?
- Would you be happier if you only had to work a 6-hour workday? Why or why not?
- Do you have a daily routine after the workday is over? Describe
EXPRESSIONS or PHRASES:
What do the following expressions or phrases mean?
- On the other hand (P3)
- Private life (P3)
Image source: by Evan Bench