The traditional five-day workweek was introduced around a century ago and has since become the standard, along with punching in at 9am and leaving at 5pm. Recently, however, challenges to this formula have been increasing, particularly among young people. In the UK, 200 British companies have changed gears and decided to adopt a permanent four-day workweek for their employees. The new schedule will not cause any loss in pay, which is expected to result in greater employee satisfaction.
Among those leading the charge for the new model are charities, marketing firms, and technology companies. Advocates of the policy say that the change is long overdue, as the current economic age differs from the one that gave rise to the five-day workweek. People’s attitudes have shifted to an even greater extent due to the adoption of remote work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its end, those who enjoyed the flexibility of remote work have been battling to keep it as an option.
傳統的一週工作五天大約在一個世紀前開始實行，並從此成為標準，上午九點打卡上班、下午五點下班的制度也一同普及。然而，近年來這種慣例受到愈來愈多挑戰，尤其是在年輕族群間。在英國，已有兩百家英國企業改變作法，決定採取讓員工一週工作四天的永久計畫。這個新的時間表並不會使員工的薪資減少，而這預期將會提高員工的滿意度。
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
帶頭推行這項新模式的主要是慈善機構、行銷公司和科技公司。該政策的支持者表示這樣的變革早該發生，因為當前的經濟時代早已不同於當初造就一週工作五天的時代。由於 COVID-19 疫情導致遠距工作普及，讓人們的態度產生了更大的轉變。疫情結束後，那些享受遠距工作彈性的人便一直為保留這個選項而奮鬥。
Words in Use
1. adopt vt. 採用，採納
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
adoption n. 採用
John decided to adopt a more positive mindset after reading a few self-improvement books.
約翰在閱讀了一些自我成長的書籍後，決定採用更正向積極的心態。
Since the adoption of a budgeting app, David has saved a lot of money.
自從採用預算管理應用程式後，大衛存了很多錢。
2. formula n. 慣例，準則；公式
There is no fixed formula for happiness; everyone finds it in different ways.
幸福沒有一定的公式；每個人都有尋獲幸福的不同方式。
3. permanent a. 永久的
The tattoo on Mia’s arm is a permanent reminder of her dad.
米雅手臂上的刺青是對她爸爸永久的紀念。
Practical Phrases
1. punch in / out 上/下班打卡
Make sure to punch in before you start working, or it won’t count towards your paid hours.
要確定你在開始工作之前有打上班卡，不然工時不會被計算。
2. change gears 改變作法；（開車）換檔
When the first plan didn’t succeed, we had to change gears and come up with a new one.
當第一個計畫沒有成功時，我們不得不改變作法並想出一個新的計畫。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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