TOEFL integrated writing: work a four-day week.

The reading and the lecture both are about a policy option of working four days weekend instead of five working days. The author of the reading believes that it will benefit the economy, company and employee. The lecturer casts doubt on the claims made in the article. He thinks that it is risky and will in fact reduce the benefits. First of all, the author claims that having the short weekend will increase the company profit as employee feel more rested and alert so there will be less costly error. It is pointed out that the company profit will increase as only 80 percent of normal rate will be paid for four-day employee. This argument is challenged by the lecturer. He says that as the company has to hire new employee and there will be additional costs like training, office space, computer and medicines which will increase the costs of the company. Secondly, the author states that working short weekend will reduce unemployment rate. He argues that as the workload has to be shifted to others new workers could be hired at the same rate. This argument is rebutted in the lecture. The lecturer observes that hiring new workers will be costly. He explains it further that rather it will be beneficial if they choose to work overtime instead. Rather, no additional job will be created as company force employee to do the work of five days within four days. This can result in more pressure to employees. Finally, the author mentions that this policy will be beneficial for the individual employees. It is noted that this will increase the quality of lives by spending time with families and perusing private interest. The lecturer casts doubt on this by arguing that it will be risky as it decreases the job stability. He puts forth the idea that those employees will be the one to lose their job first during the economic downturn. It equally reduces the chances of promotion as employee has to work 5 days to be promoted in management position.