CAE Part 4

 Part 4 

Now you have about a minute to decide which two things would benefit staff most. 

1. Many people dream of being able to work from home. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?

2. Which do you think is more important in a job: friendly colleagues or a good salary?

3. What qualities would you look for in a perfect manager ,and why?

Example

Many people dream of being able to work from home. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?

Well, let me think, yes, U think I'd say that for most people there are a number of positive features. The most important one, perhaps, is that you don't waste time committing, which can be quite stressful, especially if you train is late or you can find a parking space. Also, you don't have to dress smartly to go to work, which for me would be a definite plus. On the down side it might be quite difficult to, how do you say it, to disconnect from your job, because your office is at home, so you're always checking your emails. Although I think that's a problem people have even if they work in an office - their emails follow them everywhere. 

Laura, do you agree with Daniel?

Yes, although for people with small children, the biggest advantage is that they can combine working life with family life, I mean they don't have to give up work when they start a family. 

Laura, which do you think is more important in a job: friends, friendly colleagues or a good salary?

Oh, I think both are essential. Unless there is a good atmosphere in the workplace, people soon lose motivation or lose interest and this affects the quality of their work. Also, employees need to feel valued and in the end this comes down to how much they are paid. If they are not well paid for the hob they do, they'll feel that their work is not respected. 

And Daniel, what do you think?

Well, I'm not sure, because I think for me the most important thing is to feel that you're doing something useful, achieving something worthwhile in your job. If people have that impression, then they’re not so worried about their pay and they can get their social life in their free time. I’d say it's more important to be efficient than friendly. 

Daniel, many people complain about their managers. What qualities would you look for in a perfect manager, and why?

I think he or she has to be a good communicator, who tells you what's going on, and is also pleasant to work with. He or she should be someone who gives you a reasonable workload and provides you with the support you need to do your job well and also someone who recognizes when you're working hard and gives your praise when you deserve it. 

Oh, I wish my boss was like that!

Key vocab

Achieve a good work life balance     commute      feel valued      give praise    a good communicator     a feeling of isolation      a job vacancy      a reasonable-heavy- light workload      recruit       take somebody on      a trainee        a work environment         a workplace.

Exercise

Work through one or more of these typical questions with a partner. Make sure you each speak for approximately the same length of time. 

• Some people say that in the future traditional jobs, where you work for an organization, will disappear and be replaced by short term jobs, where you deal with a particular task. What's your opinion?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of working part time instead of full time?

• How far do you agree with the idea that people should change jobs and careers at regular intervals throughout their working lives?

• What can be done to protect people’s jobs in times of great economic change?

• How has the internet changed the way people work?

• Many people prefer a well paid job to an interesting job. What's your view?