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Osman_Bin_Abubakar
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The reading passage and the lecture both discuss the merits and demerits of adopting a four-day working week. The author of the passage highlights the potential benefits of implementing a four-day work schedule, while the lecturer presents counterarguments against these points. I will examine both perspectives in the following paragraphs.
The author suggests that companies should offer the option of a four-day workweek with eighty percent of the usual pay. The author believes that this reduced working time could lead to increased company profits due to reduced work errors resulting from a more relaxed workforce with extended weekends. The author also suggests hiring additional staff to maintain the same level of work output. However, the lecturer disputes this point. According to the lecturer, such a move could lead to higher expenditures for companies, thereby reducing overall profits. Hiring more staff necessitates additional expenses for training, office space, computers, medical costs, and health benefits.
Additionally, the author claims that increasing the workforce could help lower unemployment rates. In contrast, the lecturer argues that if companies find that the same output can be achieved with a four-day workweek, they may not be inclined to hire more employees. Instead, they might encourage existing employees to work overtime to complete pending tasks.
Finally, the author suggests that a shorter workweek would allow employees to enjoy a better quality of life with their loved ones. However, the lecturer counters that this could pose risks to workers' careers. This is because the likelihood of career advancement could be affected, as company authorities may favor employees who contribute more time, like those on the traditional five-day work schedule.