Reading

10. What things to encourage health and fitness could you have or do in the working place?

· in the café/restaurant?

· inside the building in general?

· at your desk or workstation?

· outside the building

11. Read the article The active workplace. Find out if the Ford Company encourage any of the things you listed in 2.

THE ACTIVE WORKPLACE

When the clock strikes twelve noon at the Ford Company’s New Zealand head office, a small group of employees gathers in the main lobby. They’re a mixture of men and women, old and young, office staff and shop-floor staff. They’re not waiting for an interdepartmental meeting or a business training seminar. They’re the “Lunchtime walking group ”, and they’re about to go on a thirty-minute walk in the local woods.

The company runs a “Worklife week” every year, where employees are shown how to balance work and life, and where information sessions are given on men’s and women’s health, on aromatherapy, on t’ai chi, and on massage. Funds of up to $200 per person per year are available for life skills development such as courses in cooking, yoga, kick-boxing, and pottery, as well as conventional team sports like netball and rugby.

Sport and fitness are encouraged at all levels: from the regular ‘Management versus the best-of-the-rest’ sports competition, to the arrangements for staff discounts at the local gym. Teams and individuals who compete in national and local sports competitions are given paid time off work and flexible working hours and arrangements. Flexibility extends to the onsite cafeteria, where healthy meals are provided, and even made-to-order meals for weight-watchers and athletes in training.

Meanwhile, the lunchtime walking group has sett off. If they come back to work a little late, the managers won’t mind too much, because they know the employees will be more alert and rested, and will probably work more effectively in the afternoon. Ford is one of many companies who now realize that active workplaces can create a healthier and happier environment in which to work.

12. Find words or phrases in the article that mean:

1. come together in a group (verb)

2. an action which is taken to solve a problem or to improve a situation (noun)

3. the use of natural oils for controlling pain or rubbing into the body (noun)

4. traditional, normal (adj.)

5. specially created to suit to a particular person (adj.)

6. ready with full attention (adj.)

13. Work in groups. Discuss the questions:

1. What do you think of the Ford Company’s policy on encouraging health and fitness?

2. What are the advantages a. for the employer? b. for the employees?

3. Can you think of any disadvantages?

14. Work in small groups. Discuss your desirable working conditions. Include:

- working hours (start, finish, which days of the week)

- work clothes (uniform, custom)

- work breaks (coffee, lunch etc.)

- vacations

- perks (subsidized food, company car, company leisure facilities, expense account etc.)