Workplace Trends (6)
Workplace Trends (1)
SUMMARY
McMillan asks about recent trends in the workplace and Grace cites an employee benefit that has become particularly important for A&A staff. Salmans says that traditional performance reviews once conducted annually are now considered obsolete. Pearson adds that the atmosphere and clothing at workplaces have become more casual.
VIGNETTE
Pat McMillan: Now that Bill Nissen has boomeranged back to A&A, I'm seeing more and more people who left once and then return to the company in the course of just a few years. Boomeranging is all the rage now. Lidia, what else is happening in the office that's in line with current work place trends?
Lidia Grace: Well, maternity leave has become an important employee benefit. More companies are expanding their maternity benefits to compete for top talent and better retain current employees. We can expect this trend to accelerate in the next a few years because of the new baby boom created by the millennial generation.
Chuck Salmans: Another important trend I've learned about from Lidia is that annual performance reviews have become outdated. Employees think they're a clumsy, inaccurate way of delivering feedback. The trend now is toward more spontaneous and constructive ways of assessing people's work performance, instead of a formal evaluation once a year.
Paul Pearson: As we've all seen, office attire and workplace culture have become more casual. We can expect that to continue as more millennials join the workforce, and more people work remotely.
Workplace Trends (2)
SUMMARY
Grace describes a poll she took of A&A managers, many of whom said people are dressing more casually than before. Ueda mentions the "cool biz" campaign in Japan, but says Japan's offices are a long way from going casual. Grace talks about the kinds of equipment that are now standard in American offices as well as the so-called Gig Economy.
VIGNETTE
Lidia Grace: I took a straw poll of our managers here at A&A a few weeks ago, and eight out of ten said employees are dressing less formally than, say, five years ago. Actually, close to a third of American workers prefer to be employed by companies that have a "business casual" dress code.
Ueda Shota: That reminds me of the "cool biz" campaign in Japan each summer. It makes an awful at lot of differences in the hot and humid summer months. But Japanese office is still a long way from going the casual route.
Paul Pearson: Yes, Japanese corporate culture is still pretty straight-laced, isn't it?
Ueda Shota: That's right. Now, Lidia, what would you say has been the biggest change you've seen in the working environment in the last few years?
Lidia Grace: I guess the biggest change concerns the way of working. In any office, laptops and mobile devises are now the rule rather than the exception. Also the Gig Economy has become a major trend, and has led to the blended workforce ― a new kind of diversity with full-time permanent employees working side-by-side with freelancers.
Workplace Trends (3)
SUMMARY
Pearson cites statistics about the number of freelancers expected in coming years. And McMillan says he's heard they have high job satisfaction. Pearson says millennials are passionate about flexibility and work-life balance. And he and Grace talk about changes in where people physically do their work.
VIGNETTE
Paul Pearson: Yes, various studies estimate that at least 40 percent of the workforce will be freelancers in the not distant future. Many companies are hiring them to cut cost, such as health care coverage and other employee benefits.
Pat McMillan: I've seen surveys that show on-demand freelance workers have high levels of job satisfaction, which indicates it's a trend that's here to stay.
Paul Pearson: One reason is the increase of millennials in the workforce. They're passionate about flexibility and maintaining a work-life balance. These younger employees are more likely to seek part time or job sharing roles rather than lock themselves into a single position.
Lidia Grace: The basic concept of the office is changing as well. The office will be wherever you happen to be doing your work as long as you have your laptop or smartphone ― and Internet connection.
Paul Pearson: The workforce of the future will be mobile, flexible and autonomous. Performance will be evaluated according to results, not on time spent in the office.
Lidia Grace: In a number of studies, the topic that keeps coming up is "workplace flexibility", which wasn't mainstream a decade ago.
Workplace Trends (4)
SUMMARY
Pearson says part-timers may lack loyalty or motivation and a temporary workforce has to be continually retrained. He also mentions possibly loosing people during important projects, and tension between different kinds of staff. Grace says managers have to strike a balance between the needs of various employees. Pearson describes the key challenges amid the changing work environment.
VIGNETTE
Lidia Grace: Employees are demanding flexibility because of the sheer demands of work and our always-on society.
Paul Pearson: There is a potential downside to the blended workforce from an employer's point of view. Part-timers may be lacking in loyalty or motivation. And a temporary or short-term workforce needs to be continually retrained. There's also the risk of losing staff in the middle of important projects, as well as tension between permanent and part-time employees.
Lidia Grace: The challenge for HR managers is to get the best performance from such a workforce. They face a difficult balancing act. They need to make sure permanent staff feel appreciated and secure. But at the same time they have to find ways to motivate and create challenges for freelance workers.
Ueda Shota: Tell me. Paul. What do you see is the key challenges when it comes to the changing work environment?
Paul Pearson: Ensuring employee's physical and mental well-being, and helping them cope with the pressures of work. Many companies have wellness programs in place to reduce absenteeism, attract top talent and cut back on healthcare cost.
Lidia Grace: Companies that realize their employees are their most important resource are paying more attention to things like workplace stress.
Workplace Trends (5)
SUMMARY
Pearson says stress is a very serious matter in the workplace and lists such related issues as health problems, insomnia and inappropriate diet choices. Grace describes a workplace design trend that is expected to take off in the next few years. And Pearson talks about creative employee benefits that companies are using to increase loyalty and satisfaction.
VIGNETTE
Lidia Grace: Some authorities see stress as the biggest health issue that employees have to deal with.
Paul Pearson: Yes, how to deal with stress has become a hot topic lately. People make light of being stressed out, but it's no laughing matter. Stress can lead to physical and mental health problems, reduce life expectancy, insomnia, absenteeism, inappropriate lifestyle and diet choices, and many other problems.
Pat McMillan: Many companies are trying to create a more relaxing and healthier working environment.
Lidia Grace: One workplace trend likely to take off in the next few years is what's known as "Biophilic Design" or how a given living or working environment incorporates natural elements. That includes things like air quality, aesthetic and acoustic design, optimal use of natural light and creating comfortable physical spaces in which to work. All of this can have a big influence on performance and overall well-being.
Paul Pearson: Some companies are getting creative with their employee benefit packages and perks to increase loyalty and satisfaction. They're offering treats like free lunches or staff discounts at local eateries, sleeping pods and relaxation rooms, and yoga or meditation sessions at work.
TALK THE TALK
Satoshi Sugita: Our current vignette discusses the latest trends in American workplaces. One such trend is said to be expanding maternity benefits.
Heather Howard: That's wonderful. I hope paternity leave will expand too. Because getting to spend time with our children when they're very small is such a wonderful and valuable experience.
As I've mentioned before, I went back to work very soon after my daughter was born. And my husband was her main daily care-giver for about two and a half years until she started going to daycare. It was so moving and inspiring for him to see her develop day by day. She even ended up in a couple of his paintings.
Taking care of her was very hard work, but very rewarding too. And my husband has been always grateful that he got to experience something that most men don't. Of course, he has the advantage of being a self-employed artist, so we didn't have to get anyone's authorization for him to be home with her. I hope many other men can also have the freedom to make that choice in the future.
It will not only help them bond with their children, I think it could help them get along even better with their wives, and other women as well. They'll have a better understanding of what's involved in child-rearing and how parents need as much help from society as they can get.
Satoshi Sugita: The vignette goes on to talk about how workplace attire is becoming increasingly informal.
Heather Howard: How times have changed. You watch old TV shows and movies and see a time when men wouldn't venture out of doors without a hat, and ladies always had on a pair of gloves. And to be in the office, without a necktie or a string of pearls? Never.
As long as everyone is dedicated to doing their job, I don't see any problem with people dressing pretty much however they like within the office. I wear sweaters and jeans all the time, mostly because I walk my daughter to school in the morning and I need something comfortable that I can toss on without thinking about it much. It also saves money which I'd rather spend on her than myself these days.
venture out of doors 〔悪天候などの状況で〕思い切って外出する(｢英辞郎 on the WEB｣)
Satoshi Sugita: Grace says biophilic designs is likely to take off in the near future. This is how a given living or working environment incorporates natural elements.
Heather Howard: Great. We can be so cut off from nature in our urban settings. And even just a little touch of it in the office is wonderfully relaxing.
Some of the people in my office have taken steps in that regard. A number of people have small humidifiers at their desks, which has helped them breathe easier and their skin to feel less dry.
Some of us have also brought in little plants to decorate our group desks. They almost feel like little mascots for us.
cut off from 《be ～》～から疎外される(｢英辞郎 on the WEB｣)
Satoshi Sugita: The conversation concludes with a mention of recent employee benefits like sleeping pods in the office. What kind of things would you recommend, Heather?
Heather Howard: I personally swear by a good neck and hand rub for rejuvenating oneself. Sometimes I've even felt like I can see a little better after getting a massage during my lunch break. So I would urge companies to have an in-house massage service. We have that at my company and it's very popular.
Or to provide discount coupons at a place nearby. Free snacks and vending machines would be great too. I've seen companies with those. But please let them be healthy snacks. Every day I have to pass the cookies and crackers table in my office and sometimes the temptation is hard to resist.
rejuvenate oneself 若返る(｢英辞郎 on the WEB｣より)
swear by 推奨する(｢英辞郎 on the WEB｣より)
LISTENING CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE 1: Listen to the telephone message and fill in the numbered spaces on the form in the text.
Okay? Here we go.
Hi, Phil. Jackson here in sales. I need a big favor. The entire sales department will be holding an emergency meeting on Thursday the 17th at 10 a.m. in meeting room 2. I realize that's the day after tomorrow and I apologize for the short notice. I know that the usual sales meeting setup involves two tables with about 25 seats each. But this time we'll only have one speaker at the front of the room. So we'll only need the chairs. 50 will do. All face in front of the room in 5 rows of 10. I know the room is booked tomorrow morning. But if you could set this up sometime late tomorrow afternoon to be ready by Thursday morning, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks, Phil.
I need a big favor. 無理を言ってもいいかな?
apologize for the short notice 事前に告げていなかったことをわびる(｢英辞郎 on the WEB｣)
The answeいrs are:
1. Thursday the 17th, 10 a.m.
2. 2
3. 0
4. 50
CHALLENGE 2: What will the woman receive?
A. cash.
B. a coupon.
C. a promissory note
Okay? Here we go.
Man: Hi, how can I help you today?
Woman: I need to return this shirt. It says "extra-large" but it's just too small for me.
Man: Sure. Do you have your receipt?
Woman: Yes, here it is. I've paid cash.
Man: Ah, unfortunately, we can't offer you cash back.
Woman: Really? Why not?
Man: Our policy states that we can't offer cash refunds for items bought more than 30 days ago.
Woman: Oh. But this shirt doesn't come in any larger size!
Man: I'm really sorry about that. However we can offer you store credit. I can give you a voucher for the price of the shirtthat you can use on any other item in the store.
Woman: Okay. That'll be fine.
come in ～の形で売られる［提供される］、～の形式がある、～として供給される(｢英辞郎 on the WEB｣より)
The answer is B. a coupon.
AS THEY SAY
「壁に耳あり障子に目あり」
意味: 密談などの漏れやすいことのたとえ
Walls have ears. 壁に耳あり
世界各地に同じような発想の諺がある。Walls have ears.はもともと第二次世界大戦中に欧米で使われたスローガン。スパイに気を付け、機密情報を公の場所で口にしないよう注意を喚起した広告キャンペーンでもある。
Loose lips sink ships. 口が軽いと船が沈む
うかつに口にすると味方の船が沈められる、ということで秘密漏えいを戒めたもの。lips、shipsと韻を踏んで覚えやすくしている。
neck rub