Integrated TPO 1

The article states that the new policy, which allows individuals to work four days a week instead of five, will have positive effects on the whole economy as well as companies and employees. However, the lecturer holds an opposite view and refutes each of the author’s reasons.

First, the author claims that the shorter workweeks would be economical and profitable for companies since the workers' error rate decreases, and their efficiency increases. On the contrary, the professor argues that offering the given option will probably force companies to hire more employees, which means more training and medical benefits cost and also more office spaces and computers. Therefore, all these additional costs will lead to higher expenditure, and in turn less profitable company.

Additionally, although the passage posits that the policy will decrease the unemployment rate, the professor asserts that employers might raise their expectations and ask their employees to work overtime for the sake of reducing costs. Consequently, not only no additional jobs will be created, but also current jobs will become more unpleasant.

Finally, the author alleges that a four-day workweek offers employees more free time to invest in their personal lives and strengthen their family ties. However, the lecturer points out that the new policy will decrease employee's job stability as they are the first choice for the lay off in the economic downturn. Also, it can endanger their chance of promotions since companies might prefer full-time employees for management positions to ensure continuous coverage and consistent supervision for the entire workweek.