TOEFL integrated writing: work a four-day week.

The reading states that a four-day workweek has many advantages and it provides three reasons of support. However, the professor explains that the benefits mencioned in the passage are not entirely true and he refutes each of the author’s reasons.

First, the reading claims that a four-day workweek is beneficial for the company, since less overworked and error-prone employees will help it gain more profits. The professor refutes this point by saying that this option will make companies add more workers, which requires to spend more money in traning, health care and office space. As a result, companies will have to face additional costs, so they will gain less profits.

Second, the passage states that this option is advantageous for the country’s economy because it reduces unemployment rate. However, the professor says that four-day workweek will not necessarily force companies to hire new employees. According to the professor, companies could ask employees to work overtime or even expect them to do the same ammount of work in four days. Therefore, no new job positions will be created at all.

Third, the reading says that this alternative is positive for the employees as it allows them to have more free time and to improve the quality of their lives. The professor opposes to this point by saying that working four days could be harmful for them. He explains that it could jeopardize their job stability and their chances to advance in their careers, because companies would prefer the five-day workers over them.