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【正文】 manager is responsible for budgeting overheads and carefully tracking the costs, minimizing expenditure at all time. He should also see to it that staff members abide by the rules as required. 5)Companies can make use of the Inter, conducting routine office work through digital media. We can convert every single paper process into a digital one, the so called paperless office. It lowers overheads very effectively. Sample Test Part One: Interview Interlocutor39。s Questions 1)Do you ever feel overworked? (Why? /Why not?) 2)What problems do staff usually have when they are under the burden of a heavy workload? 3)Do you think panies should provide sports facilities for their staff? (Why?) 4)What types of sports do you like watching or playing? (Why?) Suggested Answers 1)Yes. Sometimes I am really overwhelmed with the heavy workload and feel tired and fatigued. As a secretary in the pany, I have so much paperwork to do and often have to rush to meet tight deadlines. And I never seem to have time to take a holiday. 2） When they are under the burden of a heavy workload, employees will often feel frustrated or depressed. This would result in stressrelated illnesses, such as high blood pressure and fatigue. Employees will be in very low morale and give very poor performance in their work. 3） Yes. I think it39。s wise for panies to provide sports facilities for their staff. Employees can make the best use of these facilities to keep fit, so they can have better performance in their work. It39。s very rewarding. 4)Of all sport games, I like football most. It requires a great amount of skill bined with athletic ability, strength and creativity. It also requires accurate and quick decisionmaking. Part Two: Minipresentation What39。s important when... ?Coping with a heavy workload 1)Benefits system 2)Time management Suggested Answer In the face of a heavy workload, I think panies can introduce more benefits programmes. They can offer wellness and exercise programmes, and provide exercise facilities to enhance employees39。 health. They can also introduce more flexible benefits programmes like childcare and nursing care for aging parents, etc. so that employees can balance work and work. Time management is also important. Companies can provide training programs to help employees better manage their time. In this way, employees will bee more anized and feel more at ease with their routine work. Apart from these, panies should also care about the employees39。 mental health. They can provide psychological consultancy advice, so that employees can better adjust themselves to their work pressure. Part Three: Collaborative Task and Discussion Addressing the Problem of Overwork Your manager has noticed the signs that employees in your pany are overburdened with heavy workloads. You have been asked to make suggestions about how to improve this situation. Discuss the situation together, and decide: 1)what signs of overwork do the staff show 2)what measures should be taken to reduce stress at work Suggested Answer A: Well, I think employees in our pany are overburdened though they do not tell you how they feel. But most of them show signs like consistently working late, working through lunch, ing to work even when ill, bringing work home, rushing to meet very tight deadlines and signs like...err... B: Like expressing frustration, feeling guilty when they leave work on time and not taking holidays. A: Yes. You39。re quite right. B: This situation has to be improved. You know, the consequences of this overload can be stress, burnout, and illness. For the pany, it can result in high turnover and poor performance. A: So it39。s time we should get started with some downshifting plans to help our staff relax and get over stress from work. B: I think we can provide some flexible benefits to help employees balance their personal life and work. For example, we can offer childcare vouchers, retail vouchers, critical illness insurance and any...err, well, I mean annual leave. A: We should also provide some sports facilities and anise sports activities to enhance employees39。 health. B: That39。s a good idea. We can also provide coffee rooms and nutritious refreshments, so that our staff can relax themselves there during the break. A: I quite agree with you. And encouraging staff to take up a hobby is another way to get off the treadmill. B: Yes, recently, some other panies have anized Joy Gang to generate workplace fun. You see, laughter is the best medicine for those who are in low spirits. And it will help to boost the morale of our staff. Followup Questions 1)What facilities should panies provide in workplace to alleviate stress at work? 2)How important is it for employees to have time outside work? 3)What other options are available to balance employees39。 work and life? 4)Do you think time management helps to reduce stress at work? (Why?) 5)What are the major paybacks of reducing stress of the overworked staff? Suggested Answers 1)Companies can provide childcare facilities, eldercare facilities or transportation facilities to help employees cope with these responsibilities, in this way, employees don39。t have to worry too much about these things, so they can take things easy. 2)It39。s very important. You see, if they have more time outside work, they can relax, do physical exercises, take up hobbies, travel, etc. They will feel less stressed and happier both at work and at home. 3) Companies can introduce flexible working, or flextime or home working so hat there39。s less conflict between work and home life. 4） Certainly. If you can manage your time well, you can work more efficiently, and find more time to refresh yourself and you can retain a healthy balance between work and life. 5)It39。s highly rewarding. It will benefit both the p