Work Hours

10/10/2020 5:26:00 PM
tameday.com
Image: tameday.com

Do you know?

  • Work hours are not the same in different countries. The most hard-working workers in the world are from Mexico, with 2,255 work hours a year.
  • It is of crucial importance to have a work-life balance. The Netherlands has their work-life balance is at a highly successful rate.

Let's get to work!

stackyourdollars.com
Work hours increase at the end of a year. Image: stackyourdollars.com

Listen and answer the questions.

  • How many hours a year do people in France work?
  • Which country has fewer than half of workers using all their vacation days?
How many hours a year do people in France work?
  • 1646
  • 2149
  • 513

Which country has fewer than half of workers using all their vacation days?

  • France
  • The USA
  • Great Britain

Complete the text you are listening to by dragging the correct word to each blank.

Work Hours

Many people say that they are working too many hours. They don't have enough time with their families. They can't things at home. They don't have time to relax. 

Work hours vary from one country to another. In France, people spend about 1,646 hours a year at work. In Japan, however, people work about 2,159 hours a year. That means a Japanese works 513 more hours a year than a French employee. That is more than 12 weeks, or three months, of work! 

Why do people work so many hours? Some people work extra hours because they want to earn more money. However, many companies don't pay . Their employees don't get extra pay for extra work. These people work extra hours because they think it's their duty. Some people are afraid they will lose their job if they don't work extra hours. 

Many people say that their vacations are too short. In France, people get five weeks of paid vacation. In Germany, they get from four to six weeks. In the United States, two weeks of vacation is the . Many people don't even use all of their vacation days. In one study in Great Britain, fewer than half of workers used all their vacation days. In English, people say, "All work and no play makes Jack a boy." If that is true, there are a lot of dull people in the world.

Read the passage and answer the questions.

hrdailyadvisor.blr.com
Working extra hours affects men and women. Image: hrdailyadvisor.blr.com

Work Hours

Many people say that they are working too many hours. They don't have enough time with their families. They can't take care of things at home. They don't have time to relax. 

Work hours vary from one country to another. In France, people spend about 1,646 hours a year at work. In Japan, however, people work about 2,159 hours a year. That means a Japanese employee works 513 more hours a year than a French employee. That is more than 12 weeks, or three months, of extra work! 

Why do people work so many hours? Some people work extra hours because they want to earn more money. However, many companies don't pay overtime. Their employees don't get extra pay for extra work. These people work extra hours because they think it's their duty. Some people are afraid they will lose their job if they don't work extra hours. 

Many people say that their vacations are too short. In France, people get five weeks of paid vacation. In Germany, they get from four to six weeks. In the United States, two weeks of vacation is the average. Many people don't even use all of their vacation days. In one study in Great Britain, fewer than half of workers used all their vacation days. In English, people say, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." If that is true, there are a lot of dull people in the world.

Source: Facts and figures, 4th edition

What is true about people that work too many hours?

  • They spend much time with their families.
  • They have less time for themselves.
  • They have to do a lot of housework.
  • They often go on vacation two times a year.

Some people work extra hours because _____.

  • they get paid more money from their companies
  • they want to be good workers
  • they think they have to do that
  • they want to have more weeks of paid vacation
In which country do people get the longest vacations?
  • France
  • Germany
  • The USA

Put the right word in each blank. The sentences are from the text.

  1.  All work and no play makes Jack a boy.
  2. However, many companies don't pay .
  3. In the United States, two weeks of vacation is the .
  4. A Japanese employee works 513 more hours a year than a French .
  5. That is more than 12 weeks, or three months, of work! 
  6. They can't things at home.

Put the right word in each blank. These are new sentences for words in the text. 

  1. They left early because the movie was very . 
  2. On , people who don't smoke are healthier than people who do.
  3. How many does his company have? 
  4. Do you want an piece of cake? 
  5. He's old enough to himself.
  6. He worked four hours of last week.