Show Me the Money

　　Overworked or not, the majority in the Salary.com poll still chose to fatten their paycheck if given the choice. For many, it was a practical matter. Says Peggy Jones, an accountant in a Boston area business services company, “I already get three weeks a year that I can’t use up because I’m so busy. I’d definitely go for the extra money to pay some bills or make a big purchase I’ve been holding off on.” For Jones, the realities of running a household and saving up for college for her children simply need to take precedence over extra free time.

　　Companies Are Already Responding

　　To many human resources experts it is inevitable that, given the growing health of the economy and the upcoming population-driven labor shortages as the Boomer Generation moves into retirement, the pendulum of control in the employee-employer relationship will swing back to the employee side. That is expected to begin in just a few years. According to human resources expert, Larry Schumer, at Salary.com, “since most companies succeed based on a motivated and capable workforce, they have offered and will continue to offer more paid flexibility, whether it be through tried and tested time-off programs or the next great idea.” Where will that new balance of employer versus employee needs lie? Time, or perhaps time off, surely will tell.

　　1. Which of the following has been rising in importance in the past few years?

　　A) Compensation. B) Time off. C) Right to vote. D) Staffing levels.

　　2. According to the passage, we know that the Boomer Generation is concerned ________.

　　A) about family and work equally B) more about work

　　C) more about family D) about neither work nor family

　　3. What can be inferred about Tony Jackson?

　　A) He is 43 years old. B) He works in a financial services company.

　　C) He has changed his life and work attitude. D) He spends 14 hours a day on his work.

　　4. When did American workers gradually begin to change their attitudes towards work?

　　A) After September 11. B) In November 2004.

　　C) In late 2004. D) At the end of the roaring 1990’s.

　　5. According to Ellen Galinsky, why did workers change their mind about work?

　　A) They have been pushed to the limit of their working hours.

　　B) They increased their need to enjoy life.

　　C) They have more rights than before.

　　D) They don’t want to work for a living.