如今，人们越来越重视工作与生活之间的平衡。同时，新科技的推出为居家办公提供了更多便利。在英国，一种支持员工灵活选择办公地点的混合工作制正逐步成型。本期 “随身英语” 节目探讨这种新的工作方式对员工和雇主来说意味着什么。

词汇：work 工作

For many, the idea of commuting daily to a place of work might sound outdated. In the UK, at least, the shape of the working week is changing, and a new hybrid approach is becoming commonplace. This new look seems inevitable: new technology means tasks traditionally done in the office can be done at home. And there's the demand for a better work-life balance, too. All of this has been accelerated by the necessary changes brought on by the Covid pandemic.

One obvious change in the UK is that Friday has become the most popular day to work from home. One survey found it's when just 13% of workers go into the office. It means employees can save on commuting costs and the price of lunches. And Claire McCartney from The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development told the BBC that generally employers thought the shift to hybrid working and home working had "increased productivity rather than decreased it".

Monday is also becoming a 'work from home' day: a recent study of mobile phone activity in the UK suggested a typical week in the office now runs from Tuesday to Thursday. This means companies have to think differently about the workspace they provide. Mark Allan, chief executive of property firm LandSec, told the BBC: "We certainly believe there are going to be fewer people in offices for the longer term, and we are planning accordingly." A shorter office week isn't great news for the city-centre shops, which depend on trade from workers. But suburban and small-town high streets are reporting an increase in footfall as people work and shop locally.

There's also an emerging trend for a shorter working week. Some companies are experimenting with a four-day working week – but with the same full-time pay. They have tried to make work time more efficient by cutting out unnecessary meetings and having shorter breaks, for example. They claim this has made workers more productive. All this makes you wonder if the act of going to work and doing the nine-to-five will become a thing of the past.

词汇表

commute 上下班，通勤
hybrid （办公地点）混合的
task 任务，工作
work-life balance 工作与生活之间的平衡
worker 工作者，员工
employee 雇员，员工
employer 雇主
productivity 生产率，工作效率
work from home 居家办公
company 公司
workspace 工作空间，办公场所
suburban 城郊的
footfall 客流量
pay 工资
efficient 高效的，有效率的
productive 高产的，成效高的
the nine-to-five 朝九晚五的工作

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Name one of the reasons given in the article that has made hybrid working more commonplace.

2. According to one survey, how many people go into an office on Fridays?

3. On which days of the week is it thought most workers now go to the office?

4. Who is being affected negatively by a shorter office working week?

5. True or false? Some companies are giving staff a full week's pay for working only four days.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. _______ are responsible for the wellbeing of staff while they are at work.

Employers                   Employees                    Employed                 Workers

2. I wanted a better _______, so I've decided to reduce my working hours.

life-work balance                                               commuting

work from home                                                nine-to-five

3. The shopping centre has seen an increase in _______ since the January sales started.

pay                              productivity                     efficient                     footfall

4. I've been _______ to work on the bus recently – it's cheaper than the train!

commuted                   commuting                      commuter                 commutes

5. The team has been very _______ and completed the project on time.

productive                    hybrid                              suburban                  productivity

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 

1. Name one of the reasons given in the article that has made hybrid working more commonplace.

New technology, a demand for a better work-life balance and the Covid pandemic are reasons that have made hybrid working commonplace.

2. According to one survey, how many people go into an office on Fridays?

One survey found just 13% of workers go into the office on Fridays.

3. On which days of the week is it thought most workers now go to the office?

A study of mobile phone activity in the UK suggested most workers go into the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

4. Who is being affected negatively by a shorter office working week?

City-centre shops who depend on trade from workers are being affected by the shorter office week.

5. True or false? Some companies are giving staff a full week's pay for working only four days.

True. Some companies are experimenting with a four-day working week – but with the same full-time pay.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Employers are responsible for the wellbeing of staff while they are at work.

2. I wanted a better work-life balance, so I've decided to reduce my working hours.

3. The shopping centre has seen an increase in footfall since the January sales started.

4. I've been commuting to work on the bus recently – it's cheaper than the train!

5. The team has been very productive and completed the project on time.