BreakingNewsEnglish - Many online quizzes at URL below

Japanese company allow True / False

pets into the office 1) Coronavirus changed the working conditions
of billions of workers. T / F
26th September, 2022
2) A company that publishes novels introduced
The coronavirus new measures. T / F
pandemic has 3) Workers at the Kawasaki motorbike company
changed working can bring pets to work. T / F
conditions worldwide.
Millions of people 4) A company is trialling a scheme where
have switched from workers can with their pets. T / F
working in their 5) Japan's workers are well known for working
offices to working long hours. T / F
remotely at home. A
Japanese company 6) Some workers have a two-hour journey to
has initiated a novel work. T / F
measure to entice workers back into the office. The 7) Up to 60 dogs can use the trial office. T / F
technology giant Fujitsu is allowing some of its
workers to bring their pet dogs to work with them. 8) The company has put carpets that cannot be
Executives set up an experimental "dog office" at a stained in its special office. T / F
building in Kawasaki, near Tokyo. Members of staff
are being encouraged to return to the office by Synonym Match
bringing their dogs to work. It is part of a trial (The words in bold are from the news article.)
aimed at making workers more comfortable in the
1. switched a. action
workplace. More people may be willing to give up
working remotely from home. 2. initiated b. prepared

Japan's workforce is renowned for spending long 3. measure c. inducement

hours in the office. The pandemic greatly changed
4. experimental d. started
this. Many workers started working from home.
They preferred this new culture of teleworking. 5. willing e. coping with
They also decided that working remotely was better
than enduring two-hour commutes from the 6. renowned f. pilot
suburbs. They got attached to the idea of spending 7. enduring g. blemish
more quality time with their pets. Fujitsu's
experiment is an incentive for workers to return to 8. commutes h. shifted
the office and be with their pooches. One worker
9. incentive i. journeys to work
said he could "communicate with other people with
the help of our dogs". Reuters says the Fujitsu "dog 10. stain j. well known
office" has space for up to six dogs "and features
stain-proof carpets and a range of pet supplies".
Discussion – Student A
Sources: reuters.com / nypost.com / usnews.com
a) How long should people spend in an office?

Writing b) How would you feel about dogs being in your

workplace?
All offices and workplaces should allow pets.
c) What can companies do to keep pets happy?
Discuss.
d) What are the benefits of people taking their pets
Chat to work?
e) Would you rather work at home or remotely?
Talk about these words from the article.
f) What do you think of the idea of a dog office?
coronavirus / pandemic / offices / remotely / workers / technology / dogs / trial / workforce / long hours / telew
/ suburbs / quality time / help / pet g) How else could companies make workers feel
more comfortable?

LOTS MORE at https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2209/220926-dog-office.html COPYRIGHT Sean Banville 2022

 BreakingNewsEnglish - Many online quizzes at URL below
Phrase Match
1. The coronavirus pandemic has changed
a. of pet supplies
2. a novel measure to
b. of a trial
3. members of
c. up working remotely
4. It is part
d. long hours in the office
5. be willing to give
e. workers to return
6. renowned for spending
f. entice workers back
7. two-hour
g. carpets
8. an incentive for
h. working conditions worldwide
9. stain-proof
i. commutes
10. a range
j. staff

Discussion – Student B Role Play

a) Did the pandemic change how you work or
Role A – More Sleep
study?
You think more sleep is the best thing about remote
b) What are the advantages of working working. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them
remotely? what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others
c) Should pets be allowed in offices? which is the least attractive of these (and why):
greater productivity, no commuting or Zoom
d) What are the benefits of people taking their
meetings.
pets to work?
Role B – No Commuting
e) Would you rather work at home or remotely?
You think no commuting is the best thing about
f) What do you think of the idea of a dog office? remote working. Tell the others three reasons why.
g) How else could companies make workers feel Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell
the others which is the least attractive of these (and
more comfortable?
why): more sleep, greater productivity or Zoom
h) What advice do you have for people who work meetings.
remotely? Role C – Greater Productivity
You think greater productivity is the best thing about
Spelling remote working. Tell the others three reasons why.
Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell
1. The coronavirus inpdmeca the others which is the least attractive of these (and
why): no commuting, more sleep or Zoom meetings.
2. ietindtia a novel measure
Role D – Zoom Meetings
3. eienct workers back into the office You think Zoom meetings are the best thing about
remote working. Tell the others three reasons why.
4. deurgaoenc to return Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell
the others which is the least attractive of these (and
5. part of a irtla why): greater productivity, no commuting or more
sleep.
6. working yoltmere from home

7. Japan's workforce is wneoernd Speaking – Remote working

8. enduring two-hour cmmueost Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about
remote working at the top. Change partners often and
9. from the bbusurs share your rankings.

10. an ceveinitn for workers • Zoom meetings • More sleep

11. be with their spoohec • Home cooking • Greater productivity
• Time with pets • Boost to local economy
12. ntsia-proof carpets
• Time with family • No commuting
Answers – Synonym Match
Answers – True False
1. h 2. d 3. a 4. f 5. b 1 F 2 F 3 F 4 T 5 T 6 T 7 F 8 T
6. j 7. e 8. i 9. c 10. g
Answers to Phrase Match and Spelling are in the text.

LOTS MORE at https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2209/220926-dog-office.html COPYRIGHT Sean Banville 2022