3. Workplace Announcement – Read a notice about a new office policy and identify key points.

Reading Section Activity: Workplace Announcement

Topic: A new office policy

Objective: Help the student practice reading comprehension by identifying key points in a workplace announcement about a new office policy.

Step 1: Reading Passage – Workplace Announcement

Subject: New Office Policy on Remote Work and Attendance

Dear Team,

As part of our ongoing effort to provide a flexible and productive work environment, we are introducing a new Remote Work and Attendance Policy, effective starting next Monday, October 1st.

Here are the key details:

1. Remote Work Schedule:
   • Employees are now allowed to work remotely for up to two days per week, with prior approval from their department managers.
   • Remote workdays must be scheduled in advance and approved at least three days prior to the requested date.
   • It is expected that all employees maintain the same level of productivity and availability during remote work as they would in the office.
2. Attendance Requirements:
   • Employees must continue to clock in and out via the company’s time-tracking system, regardless of whether they are working from home or the office.
   • Lateness policies remain the same: employees arriving more than 15 minutes late without notifying their supervisor will be considered tardy.
3. Communication and Collaboration:
   • Employees working remotely are required to stay connected via email, phone, or messaging platforms during regular business hours.
   • Team meetings, whether in-person or remote, must be attended by all employees, unless otherwise approved by a supervisor.
4. Office Access:
   • The office will remain open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Employees are welcome to work in the office on any day, even during remote workweeks.
   • Please note that the company cafeteria will now be available for breakfast from 8 AM to 9:30 AM and for lunch from 12 PM to 1:30 PM.

We believe this new policy will give everyone more flexibility while ensuring we continue to meet our business goals. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact the HR department.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Best regards,
Lisa Thompson
HR Manager, XYZ Corporation

Step 2: Comprehension Questions

After reading the workplace announcement, answer the following questions based on the new office policy.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many days per week are employees allowed to work remotely?
   a) One day
   b) Two days
   c) Three days
   d) Four days
2. How far in advance must remote work be approved?
   a) One day
   b) Two days
   c) Three days
   d) One week
3. What happens if an employee is more than 15 minutes late without notifying their supervisor?
   a) They will receive a warning.
   b) They will be considered tardy.
   c) They will lose remote work privileges.
   d) They will be marked absent.
4. When is the company cafeteria available for breakfast?
   a) 7 AM to 9 AM
   b) 8 AM to 9:30 AM
   c) 12 PM to 1:30 PM
   d) 9 AM to 11 AM
5. What is required of employees working remotely regarding communication?
   a) They must send a daily report to their manager.
   b) They must stay connected via phone, email, or messaging platforms.
   c) They must attend meetings in person.
   d) They must check in at the office every morning.

Short Answer Questions

6. What should employees do if they want to work remotely on a specific day?
   (Write your answer below)
7. What are the attendance requirements for employees, regardless of where they work?
   (Write your answer below)
8. What is expected from employees during remote work in terms of productivity?
   (Write your answer below)
9. What time does the office open, and when does it close each day?
   (Write your answer below)
10. Who should employees contact if they have questions about the new policy?
    (Write your answer below)

Step 3: Answer Key

1. b) Two days
2. c) Three days
3. b) They will be considered tardy.
4. b) 8 AM to 9:30 AM
5. b) They must stay connected via phone, email, or messaging platforms.
6. Employees must get prior approval from their department managers at least three days before the requested remote workday.
7. Employees must clock in and out using the company’s time-tracking system, whether working from home or the office.
8. Employees are expected to maintain the same level of productivity during remote work as they would in the office.
9. The office opens at 9 AM and closes at 6 PM.
10. Employees should contact the HR department for any questions about the new policy.

Step 4: Vocabulary & Definitions

Here are some difficult words and phrases from the announcement:

1. Remote: Working from a location other than the office, usually from home.
   • Example: “Due to the pandemic, many employees began working remotely from their homes.”
2. Tardy: Arriving late, especially to work or an event.
   • Example: “Employees who are tardy more than three times may face penalties.”
3. Productivity: The level of output or efficiency in completing tasks.
   • Example: “The manager emphasized the importance of maintaining high productivity during remote work.”
4. Clarification: Explanation or additional information to make something clear.
   • Example: “If you need clarification on the new policy, please contact HR.”
5. Collaboration: Working together with others to achieve a common goal.
   • Example: “Good communication and collaboration are essential when working on team projects.”

Step 5: Selfie Assignment

Assignment:
Imagine your company is introducing a new policy. Write an email to your coworkers summarizing the key points of the policy. Use the structure of Lisa Thompson’s email as a guide: explain the new rules, deadlines, and what is expected from employees. Record a short video (1-2 minutes) where you summarize the new policy in your own words.