Integrated Writing

In the reading material,the author cites the reasons to support the viewpoint, that the mandatory policy requiring companies to offer their employees the option of working a four-day workweek for four-fifths of their normal pay would benefit the economy as a whole as well as the individual companies and the employees who decided to take the option. Nevertheless,the lecture in the listening material argues that such kind of policy won’t affect the company profits,economic conditions or the lives of employees ,and opposes the points in the reading material.

First and foremost, the author argues that the shortened workweek would increase company profits because employees would feel more rested and alert,and as a result, they would make fewer costly errors in their work.However, the lecture offers an opposite stand that it will force companies to put much more money in training and medical benefits,since having more employees requires more office space and more computer and the costs of things like health benefits can be the same whether an employee works four days or five.

In addition,the lecture casts doubt on the author’s another reason that it would reduce unemployment rates,demonstrating that companies always have other options and raise expectation,which leads to no additional jobs and more unpleasant jobs.

Finally,the author’s third reason that the option would be better for individual employees,because they can spend their spare time with their families,pursuing private interests,or enjoying leisure activities,is also counteracted by the lecture who points out that this presents some risks that could end up reducing their quality of life.Because of companies’ preference to having 5-days employees to ensure continuous coverage and consistent supervision for the entire workweek,employees may lose their jobs.