Questions 21-23
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.
Flexible working practices:
Effects of flexible working on companies:
Advantage: encourages staff to stay
The answer is particular. Peter says, 'The important thing is how to make it work for the particular needs of each workplace.' This shows that each workplace has its own particular needs when it comes to flexible working practices.
Associated Text:
The important thing is how to make it work for the particular needs of each workplace.
The answer is parents. Peter mentions, 'companies that employ parents with young families may find they get requests for flexible working.' This makes clear that flexible working may especially appeal to parents who have young children.
Associated Text:
companies that employ parents with young families may find they get requests for flexible working to take into account the start and end time of school or childcare.
The answer is instability. Peter states, 'But on the negative side, these policies can lead to instability in the staff as people come and go regularly and aren't always available at regular times for meetings with clients and so on.' The word 'instability' is directly mentioned as a disadvantage.
Associated Text:
But on the negative side, these policies can lead to instability in the staff as people come and go regularly and aren't always available at regular times for meetings with clients and so on.
Questions 24-27
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
Write your answers in boxes 24-27
on your answer sheet.
24. Jess thinks managers should support staff to
25. Jess suggests that a manager's most important task is
26. Jess believes employers should offer training to
27. Jess believes managers should always
The answer is C. Jess states, 'From my point of view, managers should focus on helping flexible workers to manage their workload.' This matches option (C) 'manage their workload.' Option (A) 'get a salary increase' and (B) 'communicate with team members' are not mentioned as the main focus in this statement.
Associated Text:
From my point of view, managers should focus on helping flexible workers to manage their workload so that they don't end up compressing more work into fewer hours than they are actually being paid for.
The answer is B. Jess says, 'one of the most important tasks for a manager is to balance the right of the flexible worker on the one hand, and the team spirit on the other.' This aligns with option (B) 'to balance different needs.' The script doesn't focus on option (A) 'to manage opportunities' or (C) 'to build supportive teams' as the most important task.
Associated Text:
one of the most important tasks for a manager is to balance the right of the flexible worker on the one hand, and the team spirit on the other.
The answer is A. Jess says, 'I think they need to help the whole team understand the policies and keep schedules etc transparent.' Here, she refers to offering training and help to 'the whole team' rather than just managers or only flexible workers.
Associated Text:
I think they need to help the whole team understand the policies and keep schedules etc transparent.
The answer is B. Jess states, 'The important thing is that this support is shown right from the start so that the team understands immediately that management is in favour of the change.' Showing support for flexible workers is emphasized as something managers should always do. Options (A) 'write an official statement' and (C) 'interact positively with the team' are only given as examples or not as an explicit constant.
Associated Text:
The important thing is that this support is shown right from the start so that the team understands immediately that management is in favour of the change.
Questions 28-30
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
The answer is small businesses. Peter says, 'Flexible working may not always be appropriate for all companies – in fact, it could be destructive to some small businesses.' This indicates that for some small businesses, flexible working is potentially damaging.
Associated Text:
Flexible working may not always be appropriate for all companies – in fact, it could be destructive to some small businesses.
The answer is sales. Peter says, 'It can be tricky if the company wants to increase sales, for example. In that situation, the manager might have to prioritise sales figures over the requests of individual staff members.' Here, increasing the company's sales is seen as being prioritized over flexible working requests.
Associated Text:
It can be tricky if the company wants to increase sales, for example. In that situation, the manager might have to prioritise sales figures over the requests of individual staff members.
The answer is pressure. Peter concludes, 'managers must be able to deal with high pressure levels. During a period of change, they should only be thinking about the pressure of the whole team.' This indicates that during such times, managers must cope with increased amounts of pressure.
Associated Text:
managers must be able to deal with high pressure levels. During a period of change, they should only be thinking about the pressure of the whole team.
