Should we work a four-day week? The following are the supporters’ and opponents’ opinions. Read carefully the opinions from both sides and write your response in no less than 200 words, in which you should:

1. summarize the opinions from both sides, and then

2. give your view on the issue.

Marks will be awarded for content relevance, content sufficiency, organization and language quality. Failure to follow the above instructions may result in a loss of marks.

YES

The shortened workweek would increase company profits because employees would feel more rested and alert, and as a result, they would make fewer costly errors in their work. Hiring more staff to ensure that the same amount of work would be accomplished would not result in additional payroll costs because four-day employees would only be paid 80 percent of the normal rate. In the end, companies would have fewer overworked and error-prone employees for the same money, which would increase company profits.

Moreover, the option of a four-day workweek would be better for individual employees. Employees who could afford a lower salary in exchange for more free time could improve the quality of their lives by spending the extra time with their families, pursuing private interests, or enjoying leisure activities.

NO

First, offering a four-day workweek will probably force companies to spend more, possibly a lot more because adding new workers means putting much more money into providing training and medical benefits.

Worse, companies might raise expectations. They might start to expect that their four-day employees can do the same amount of work they used to do in five days. If this happens, then no additional jobs will be created and current jobs will become more unpleasant.

Finally, while a four-day workweek offers employees more free time to invest in their personal lives, it also presents some risks that could end up reducing their quality of life. Four-day employees are likely to be the first to lose their jobs during an economic downturn.