Pre-reading questions:
- What do you think about working time?
- What do you do during your free time?
Deutsche Bank says that reducing overtime work could affect Japanese economic growth. Laborious industries are said to suffer the most due to manpower shortage. Reducing overtime was deemed as a solution to reduce cases of “karoshi” or death by overwork.
Deutsche Bank expect companies to limit overime to avoid negative publicity. However, this move is directly proportional to profits as decreasing overtime work will also decrease profits and sales. The pursuit to cut extended working hours was strengthened after the suicide of an advertising firm employee who rendered more than 100 hours of overtime per month.
Vocabulary:
laborious – requires physical effort
manpower – available workers
deem – suppose
pursuit – track
render – commit
Comprehension Questions:
- Why do laborious industries are said to suffer the most?
- What was the solution seen to reduce cases of “karoshi”?
- Why would Deutsche Bank expect companies to limit overtime?
- Why was there a pursuit to cut extended working hours?
- How will the decrease of overtime work affect Japanese economic growth?
Express Your Opinion:
- Do you agree on reducing overtime work? Please explain your answer.
- Do you agree that workers rendering overtime work are hardworking? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think work-life balance is possible in your country? Please explain your answer.
- How do you handle stress at work?
- What do you think should workers do to manage their time?