Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Where did you go on your last vacation? Could you tell me about it?
- Could you tell me about your tasks at work?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- podcast /POD-kast/
- relevant /REL-uh-vuhnt/
- obligation /ob-li-GEY-shuhn/
- alter /AWL-ter/
- occur /uh-KUR/
[noun] – a broadcast that is placed on the Internet for anyone who wants to listen to it or watch it
To reach listeners of podcasts, some radio stations already post their talk shows on websites.
[adjective] – connected with what is happening or being discussed
Do you have relevant experience?
[noun] – the fact that you are obliged to do something
I don’t have any obligation to him.
[verb] – to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change
We’ve had to alter some of our plans.
[verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen
I hope this won’t occur again.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Many employees pursue hidden projects after hours in order to advance. Even while this type of excessive workload has become the norm, there is a sneaky disadvantage.
While on vacation in Europe, Beth, a Toronto-based international marketing manager, feels obligated to work. This is due to the fact that she still puts in a lot of time outside of her typical workday by doing things like using WhatsApp to check in with her coworkers and listening to “a ton” of podcasts relevant to her field of work. “I’m about to get on a train and go to my Italian office to say hi, on my holiday,” she says. “Do I have a problem?” Even if the usual workday has been getting longer for millions of knowledge workers, a lot of work continues to be completed outside of the typical workday, regardless of its length.
These obligations after hours are nothing new for employees. The line between personal and professional life has become blurrier because the pandemic has altered how people work, which makes it even easier for these behaviors to occur. These quiet, even hidden overwork moments work even though they don’t feel like work in the conventional sense. Additionally, it is becoming more difficult for employees to brush it off as this extra effort becomes implicitly expected, making it practically impossible to ever unwind.
While on vacation in Europe, Beth, a Toronto-based international marketing manager, feels obligated to work. This is due to the fact that she still puts in a lot of time outside of her typical workday by doing things like using WhatsApp to check in with her coworkers and listening to “a ton” of podcasts relevant to her field of work. “I’m about to get on a train and go to my Italian office to say hi, on my holiday,” she says. “Do I have a problem?” Even if the usual workday has been getting longer for millions of knowledge workers, a lot of work continues to be completed outside of the typical workday, regardless of its length.
These obligations after hours are nothing new for employees. The line between personal and professional life has become blurrier because the pandemic has altered how people work, which makes it even easier for these behaviors to occur. These quiet, even hidden overwork moments work even though they don’t feel like work in the conventional sense. Additionally, it is becoming more difficult for employees to brush it off as this extra effort becomes implicitly expected, making it practically impossible to ever unwind.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Who is Beth?
- Where is Beth having a vacation?
- What does she do outside of her typical workday?
- What has become blurrier after the pandemic?
- What is becoming more difficult for employees?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you usually do on the weekends? Could you tell me about it?
- Do you still work after your shift? Why or why not?
- If you were a boss, would you disturb your employee on his/her leave? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that these after-hours responsibilities are nothing new for employees?
- What do you think of these after-hours responsibilities? Please elaborate on your answer.