Page 94 - Traveller_2nd_Pre-Interm_SB_SE

7b Job satisfaction

. READING
A. Discuss.
• What do you think makes
employees happy with their job?

B. Read the text quickly. What is the writer’s main
purpose? Choose a, b or c.
a. To criticise employers.
b. To inform people about the working
conditions some companies offer.
c. To advertise different businesses.
C. Read again and complete the sentences.
© MM Publications
Let’s get down 1. A software company in Los Angeles
doesn’t charge its employees anything
to business for their clothes or when

they want to wash .
They can also free of charge
Because big salaries and large bonuses aren’t always all day long.
enough to keep employees happy, some companies are 2. Employees at a San Francisco company can go
now offering their staff exciting and unusual perks. outside and play or
A software company in Los Angeles, USA, for example, during their break. Sometimes they have so
has built a number of on-site facilities for its employees. much fun at work they don’t want
Staff can visit the hairdresser’s, leave their cars at the .
car wash and their clothes at the dry-cleaner’s – for free! 3. were taken to a concert by a
There’s also an on-site restaurant that serves free gourmet UK mobile phone company.
meals 24 hours a day! What a treat!
When employees of a San Francisco-based software 4. Employees of a US insurance company don’t
company need a break, they head for the games room. have to on their birthdays and
they can relax in a whenever
Here, they can play video games, pool or table tennis. they like.
Alternatively, staff members can take part in outdoor
activities, like basketball or tennis. The employees of this D. Look at the highlighted words in the text and match
company say that their work environment is so pleasant them with their meanings a-g.
that they often don’t want to go home! 1. perks a. trips or short journeys
Many companies also organise annual holidays and 2. gourmet usually lasting for a day
outings for their staff. Last year, a US supermarket chain b. go towards
took all its employees white-water rafting. And, in the UK, 3. head for c. think about something in
a particular way
a mobile phone company organised a special end-of-year d. food of high quality and
concert for its 17,000 employees. Some of the biggest rock 4. pleasant often expensive
bands in the UK played at the concert and staff members 5. outings e. nice, enjoyable
had the opportunity to meet the performers – how thrilling! f. things you are offered as
Some companies offer their staff members slightly more 6. firm well as your salary
unusual perks. For example, a US insurance firm gives all 7. consider g. company
its employees the day off on their birthday, as well as a gift
of $100. The company also offers on-site golf lessons and E. Discuss.
exercise classes, and there are even quiet rooms for staff • Which of the perks mentioned in the text do
members to relax. Many employees consider this company you think would create the happiest work
to be such a wonderful place to work that they wouldn’t environment?
dream of looking for a job anywhere else! • Imagine you’re the manager of your own
company. What kind of unusual perks would
you offer your employees?
92

4/1/2021 5:05:56 µµ
Traveller_Rev_Pre_Interm_SB.indb 92 4/1/2021 5:05:56 µµ
Traveller_Rev_Pre_Interm_SB.indb 92