If you contact Indy Cube (a provider of works...

试题详情

If you contact Indy Cube (a provider of workspaces) after 5 p.m., you’ll receive an automatic message, “We will get back to you pretty quickly during working hours. If you are messaging us outside of these, we’re probably busy with things like horse-riding, dancing or a good sleep.”

The firm is one of a growing number of employers giving their workers an extra day off for the same pay as a five-day week. The four-day week schedule can raise productivity for bosses and happiness for workers. It’s not just small businesses that spot a chance to save money by turning the lights off one day a week. Perpetual Guardian, one of the biggest organizations to make the switch, enjoys huge global interest, with 406 organizations from around the world asking it for advice. “This week we have had people contact us from Japan, Canada, the UK, France, Switzerland,” said its founder Andrew Barnes. “The day off that each worker takes varies, perhaps making it a bit hard to manage. But there’s a change in the firm’s culture—less time surfing on social media and fewer unnecessary meetings,” said Barnes.

However, Kate Cooper argues that the reasons behind increases in productivity are not yet clear. Cooper said that “the Hawthorne effect” may be in play. That is, people change their behavior simply because they feel they are being observed. In this case, they feel that by being granted a four-day week, they believe their bosses are interested in their work. “But how long could that last?” Cooper doubts.

Comment 1: I don’t exactly disagree with a 4-day week as long as I still have the option to work five days and get more money for it.

Comment 2: It’s an interesting idea, but so much needs to happen before this becomes an option for the majority.

Comment 3: I feel there is a great reason: the environment. We need to be producing less stuff to reduce the stress on our planet.

Comment 4: I thought this was supposed to be here 20 years ago with the advances in technology.

Comment 5: 3 days off a week? Preparing for 7 days off a week. People will get lazy.

1.What can we learn about Indy Cube?

A.It is one of the biggest providers of workspaces.

B.It is the first company to start the four-day week.

C.Its boss should be pleased with a higher productivity.

D.Its employees are worried about their income.

2.What does Andrew Barnes think of the four-day week schedule?

A.It will be adopted by other companies in the world for sure.

B.It has made a positive influence on the company’s culture.

C.It benefits big companies more than smaller ones.

D.It has helped the firm sign contracts with other countries.

3.What is the attitude of Kate Cooper towards the effect of a four-day week?

A.Doubtful. B.Indifferent.

C.Disappointed. D.Positive.

4.Which suggests the four-day week is currently enjoyed by only a small part of the staff?