Around the Clock with Bob Ellis

Bob Ellis, 29, is a dolphin trainer. “I like my job a lot because I love working with animals. It is tiring though, as I work long hours”, he says.

Bob is an early bird. His day starts at five o`clock in the morning. He gets up, has a shower, and then he gets dressed. After breakfast, at about six o`clock, he catches the bus to work. He arrives at the aquarium at half past six and feeds the dolphins. After that, they practice for the show until lunch-time/ Bob has a break for lunch from half past twelve till half past one, then the show starts. At five o`clock in the afternoon, he feeds the dolphins again and then he goes home. In the evening, Bob usually watches TV. He doesn`t go out very often during the week because he goes to bed early.

And what does Bob do in his free time? He loves going for long walks in the countryside with his dog, Jack. Bob also likes swimming at the pool, but he never swims at the sea because he`s afraid of sharks!

“I feel very satisfied with my life at the moment,” says Bob. “I`ve got a great job and I enjoy my free time. Who could ask for more?”

1. Does Bob like his job? Why? 2. Why is his job tiring? 3. What does Bob do in the evening? 4. What does Bob do in his free time? 5. How does Bob feel about his life? 6. What tense do we use to describe daily routines?

Convince, employer, part-time, full-time, career-minded, receptionist, shop assistant, maternity leave, approve, on new terms, salary, pro rata, flexible hours, outside interest, employment rights, sick leave, outperform, benefits, employees, to take time off, to fit things.

Can you convince your employer to cut your hours? Part-time people earn less, but many are more committed and content than nine-to-five colleagues.

The phrase “part-time job” doesn`t usually create an image of career-minded City professional. A more likely picture is that of a receptionist or shop assistant, squeezing in a bit of handy local work while the kids are at school. When women take their maternity leave, it`s rather hard for them to return to work a year later. They need to spend time with their baby and therefore decide that working three or four days a week would be ideal. If their business plan is approved, they may return to the job on new terms, with the same salary and holydays as before, but pro rata. Having Friday off is great for going away at the weekend.

In some companies you don`t have to be a mother to request flexible hours. A bank, for example, isn`t interested in your reasons – you just have to show that your work will not suffer. Some people go part time in order to look after elderly parents, or to pursue hobbies or an outside interest. Others simply want to shift the balance of their daily routine, so they work early mornings or late nights, instead of the standard nine to five. Anyone choosing to exchange a full-time job for a part-time one knows that fewer hours will mean less pay. But a new law says part-timers enjoy the same employment rights (for holydays, sick pay etc.) as those who work full time. Proportionally, your salary should be the same, as should your holydays. Sounds good, right?

Being happy at work makes us more productive and reduces stress – the biggest cause of sick leave. Some 96 per cent of part-time stuff outperform their full-time colleagues, and 70 per cent of people in job shares are a third more productive, as they can manage their working hours.

In the future few of us will be tied to nine-to-five jobs. Whether we are doctors, lawyers or junior clerical stuff, we will choose the hours we work. We live in a world where people need services 24 hours a day, seven days a week – banks, shops and other services all need staff who can work around the clock.

New technology also means that “a day in the office” can just as easily be spent at home, in the car or even in another country. All you need is a modem and a mobile phone. So work can really be about what you do, and not just where you go.

Benefits for employers include less absenteeism and greater loyalty from staff. For example, part-time workers tend to fit things like dental appointments into days they are not working.

The point is, once you`ve found a job you like with the hours you want, you`ll do anything to keep it. That`s why flexible workers are usually far more committed, loyal and motivated than full-time employees.

В. Е. Берникова, Английский язык: базовый курс. Учебное пособие – М.: Издательство УРАО, 2003, 184 с.)

1. Who can cut your hours? 2. What does “part-time job” means? 3. Can a City professional work part-time? 4. When do young mothers usually work? 5. Why do women decide to work part-time? 6. What is really good about working part-time? 7. What are the most common reasons for part-time jobs? 8. In what way the law protect part-timers? 9. When are people more productive in their work? 10. What figures can illustrate the productivity of part-timers? 11. What world do we live in? 12. Why are employees interested in part-timers? 13. How can people fit their daily things?

По закону; повседневные дела; работники по гибкому графику; дело в том, что…; гораздо более преданны; чиновники низшего звена; снижает стресс; хорошо звучит; пользуется теми же трудовыми правилами; н6а новых условиях; не пострадает; присматривать, ухаживать за…; зарабатывают меньше; им довольно трудно.

1. A city professional is… 2. Handy local work is… 3. Working three days a week is… 4. Having Friday off is… 5. You can request flexible hours…. 6. Some people like part-time work because… 7. To work early mornings is… 8. Employment rights are… 9. Being happy at work is… 10. In the future I would like to… 11. I understand benefits as…

Ex 4. Match the sentences on the left with their replies on the right. Pay attention to the use of the verb to be.

1) What's wrong with your son?;2) The Browns are nice people; 3) There is nothing to be seen; 4) I don't think it's difficult; You shouldn't give in; 5) Have you finished the book? 6) It is not anybody's fault. 7) I don't like watching the news. 8) Why haven't you finished the work in time? 9) He comes to see me every day and tries to persuade me.10) I am trying to choose the topic 11) Why are you so rushing about?

a) Don't be in a hurry, we've got enough time; b) I am not interested in politics; c) I am through with it; d) I am sick and tired of his words; e) I am against going there;

f) He is starting a cold; g)It is a pity you haven't made up your mind; h) I am for inviting them to dinner; i) The problem is worth solving; j) Nobody is to blame, for my essay; k) Who is responsible for it?

Ex 5. Give the interrogative and negative forms of the following sentences.

1, He has a lot of experience, 2. She has a bath every day. 3. She has got a lot of jewelry. 4. They have a Io1 of rare plants in their garden. 5. She usually has a rest after dinner. 6» They had late supper tonight. 7. We have got a lot of problems now. 8. They had a pleasant voyage last summer. 9. Her mother has a flat in the High Street. 10. The president has a bad cold.

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