New Policy of a Company
W: We've got a real problem on our hands. We're getting a lot of complaints.
M: About the proposed new policy?
W: Yes, people think it's an invasion of privacy.
M: Don't they agree that regular exercise and staying in shape is good for everyone?
W: Sure, they agreed. But they don't think we have the right to use an APP to track how much they exercise.
M: Using the APP is the only way to make sure our employees get enough exercise.
Exercises:
1. — What is the state of the new policy?
— It hasn't been put into effect yet.
2. It's planning to use an APP to track the daily activities of its employees.
M: This new policy will reduce our health costs and improve productivity, which helps everyone.
W: That's not how they see it. This kind of regulation makes people feel like robots. They have no freedom anymore. Requiring everyone to wear a smart device like this on the wrist means they have no privacy.
M: Well, if you put it that way, I can see the problem.
Exercises:
1. — Why don't some employees like the proposed policy?
— They think it gives the company too much control over their lives.
2. Requiring everyone to wear a smart device like this on the wrist means they have no privacy.
3. The data would be public and rank everyone's activities.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. Well, if you put it that way, I can see the problem.
2. We're getting a lot of complaints.
3. Its purpose is to reduce health costs and improve productivity.
4. It is intended to reduce health costs and improve productivity.
M: However, I don't see any other way to change people's habits. This is just a friendly reminder.
W: It's more than a reminder. It makes things public and puts pressure on people to meet the requirements. It will force people to work out even when they don't want to. There won't be any choice.
M: No, it doesn't have to be that way. We can still be flexible.
W: That's not the point. People hate the idea that the company knows everything they do. It's better enough that they have to communicate with each other at night and on weekends.
Exercise:
In this exchange, the HR manager is presenting the point of view of employees who don't like the new policy.
M: What if we make the use of the app an option?
W: If you do that, it still puts pressure on people to use it. I think it's best that we get rid of this idea. I'm all for standards, but what about freedom and creativity. If we go ahead with this policy, I think we will lose some of our best people.
Exercises:
1. Creative people in particular won’t want to be forced into changing their lives.
2. What if we make the use of the app an option? If you do that, it still puts pressure on people to use it. I think it's best that we get rid of this idea. I'm all for standards, but what about freedom and creativity. If we go ahead with this policy, I think we will lose some of our best people.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. What if we make the use of the app an option?
2. If we go ahead with this policy, I think we will lose some of our best people.
3. People hate the idea that the company knows everything they do.
W: There are other ways to deal with health issues.
M: Such as? What's your suggestion?
W: Give extra holidays to people who take fewer sick days.
M: No... That wouldn't work. It will put pressure on people to come to work sick and get everyone else sick too. If someone is sick, I'd rather that they stay at home.
Question:
— What was her suggestion?
— To give extra holidays to people who take fewer sick days.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. If someone is sick, I'd rather that they stay at home.
2. There are other ways to deal with health issues.
3. Even if it were an option, it would still put pressure on people to use it.
4. He would rather have sick people stay at home than come to work.
5. They don’t want the company to know so much about their lives.
W: Then here is a radical idea. Why not let your department managers handle it? They are the ones who decide on promotions and bonuses. Setting everything in stone in the form of policies can be very dangerous.
M: OK, I'll consider it. For now, I'll give up the idea of using this app. Please let people know that we are listening to them. We do care about our employees.
W: I will, I'm sure people will appreciate it. It shows that you have faith in them.
M: Thanks, I appreciate your advice.
Question:
— What does he finally decide to do?
— He gives up the idea of using this app.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. It shows that you have faith in them.
2. I appreciate your advice.
3. Using the APP is the only way to make sure our employees get enough exercise.
4. Creative people often value their freedom more than other people and won't like the new policy.
5. But they don't think we have the right to use an APP to track how much they exercise.
6. It would encourage sick people to come to work.
7. He is going to consider letting the department managers deal with the health policy.
8. Requiring everyone to wear a smart device like this on their wrist means they have no privacy.