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Workaholism




TST Systems was looking for candidates for an opening position of a Commercial Director. Three applicants came for an interview after they had submitted their Cover Letters and Resumes. The third and the most successful was Mr Petrenko.

A: Good morning, sir.

B: Good morning. Come in, come right in. Mr Petrenko, isn’t it? Please take a seat. You will have to excuse me a moment while I finish signing these letters. Meanwhile please fill in the applica­tion form... There, that’ll do. Now I can concentrate on you, Mr Petrenko. Tell me, how long were you in your last job with Alpha?

A: Five years. I am only leaving because the firm is moving to Sevastopol, but I think a change will do me good.

B: What do you know about our company? Have you got any questions to me?

A: I know that this is a very promising company, so I’d like you to inform me what

will be the major focus of efforts in the next few years?

B: We plan to expand our activi­ty into English-speaking countries, mainly to England, to buy equip­ment and technologies from them and run training programs here. We need a team of creative people to make our company com­petitive in the world market.

A: What responsibilities and obligations do you suggest I have during the first year?

B: Well, first of all to be responsible for our contacts with English partners, to buy good equipment and generally to be skillful in negotiations. You will have to travel very much. Besides, we are expecting a new fair in London soon, and maybe you will have a chance to go there.

A: Yes, I see.

B: So tell me what are your three main strengths?

A: I think they are: reliability, loyalty, and energy.

B: OK. How do you relieve everyday tensions?

A: I am accustomed to work under pressure. Besides, when I am extremely stressed out, I like to go to the gym.

B: Are you a leader,an entrepre­neur by nature?

A: Yes, I think so, because I make contacts with people very easily.

B: Right. Now, Mr Petrenko, I am quite prepared to offer you a job with us. You have excellent references from your previous job. What do you find a fair salary?

A: Equivalent of $500.

B: I think we’ll begin with $450 for the probation period and if you do well we'll review it by the end of three months. Hours are from nine to five thirty, with an hour for lunch and a fort­night’s holiday. Does that suit you? Have you got any questions?

A: What about travel: length, where?

B: Mostly to England for not longer than a month.

A: All right. I suppose there is a quite supportive environment here. When do you want me to start, sir?

B: In a week, if possible.

A: I am afraid I can begin work­ing only after October 10.

B: No problem. We’ll be seeing you on the 10th of October then?

A: Yes, certainly. Thank you very much. Goodbye.

B: Goodbye.

 

6.28. Read the text and answer the questions after it.


A lot of employees spend eight or nine hours on the job. They work because it’s unavoidable. They need to make enough money for necessities: housing, food, rest, clothing, transportation, etc. They spend about one third of their lives at work, but they hate it. They complain and count the minutes until quitting time each day – or the day until the next vacation.

By contrast there are some people who actually enjoy work – in fact, they love to work. They spend many extra hours on the job each week and often take work home with them. These workaholics are as addicted to their jobs as other people are to drugs or alcohol.

In some urban centers, workaholism is so common that people do not consider it unusual: they accept this lifestyle as normal. Government workers in Washington, D.C., for example frequently work sixty to seventy hours a week.

Workaholism can be a serious problem. Because true workaholics would rather work than do anything else, they probably don’t know how to relax; that is they might not enjoy movies, sports, or other types of entertainment. Most of all, they hate to sit and do nothing. This inability to rest may cause health problems, such as heart attacks. In addition, typical workaholics don’t pay much attention to their families. They spend little time with their children and their marriages end in divorce.

Is workaholism always dangerous? Perhaps not. Some studies show that many workaholics have great energy and interest in life. Their work is so pleasurable that they are actually very happy. For most workaholics work and entertainment are the same thing. Their job provides them with challenge; this keeps them busy and creative. Other people retire from work at the age of sixty-five, but workaholics usually prefer not to quit. They are still enthusiastic about work – and life – in their eighties and nineties.

Why do workaholics enjoy their jobs so much? There are several advantages to work. Of course, it provides people with paychecks and this is important. But it offers more than financial security. It provides people with self-confidence; they have a feeling of satisfaction. Psychologists claim that work gives people identity. In addition, most jobs provide a way to meet other people.

Questions:

1. How many hours do workers spend on their jobs? Do you think it’s too many? How many hours would you like to work a week? What would you prefer - to work extra hours to make extra money or to spend the evening with your friend? Why?

2. Do you know any workaholics? Why do you think those people are workaholics?

3. Why is workaholism usual nowadays? Do you consider it normal?

4. Why can workaholism be a problem? Do you consider workaholism a social disease or a personal problem?

5. Are there any advantages in workaholism?

6. Are you a workaholic? Test yourself. Here is a list of ten characteristics of workaholics. Which ones apply to you? Check the box. If you answered “yes” to eight or more questions, you might be a workaholic.

1. Do you get up early even if you go to bed late?  
2. Do you read or work while you eat?  
3. Do you make lists of things to do?  
4. Do you find it unpleasant to do nothing?  
5. Can you work anytime and anywhere?  
6. Do you prefer not to take vacations?  
7. Do you usually have a lot of energy?  
8. Do you work at weekends and on holidays?  
9. Do you think you probably won’t want to retire?  
10. Do you really enjoy your work?  
   

6.29. a) Read the essay and put each of the following verbs in the correct space. b) Discuss in class the elements that make a job worthwhile.

 

 




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