Read paragraphs 6-14:
(about how managers can help combat stress and keep both productivity and spirits up during the holiday season)
https://hbr.org/2018/12/holidays-can-be-stressful-they-dont-have-to-stress-out-your-team
and decide if the sentences below are
true or false:
1. Managers should avoid discussing holiday celebrations with their staff to maintain professionalism.
2. The author suggests that offering an additional day off can significantly reduce employee stress.
3. According to the text, all employees celebrate the holidays in the same manner.
4. The author highlights that financial stress during the holidays can be mitigated by reducing unnecessary purchases.
5. The text indicates that volunteering can help employees bond and alleviate stress during the holiday season.
6. The author believes that multitasking is an effective way to manage holiday-related pressures.
7. Creating an inclusive environment for holiday celebrations is deemed essential by the author.
Key: 1F; 2T; 3F; 4T; 5T; 6F; 7T
Glossary
- culprit – a person or other agent guilty of or responsible for an offense or fault
- woes – someone’s problems
- overdrive – a state of great activity, effort, or hard work
- acute – severe or intense
- sneer – an unkind expression on your face that shows you do not respect or approve of someone or something
- festive fizzleout – a noticeable decline in employee productivity and engagement
- to contend with sth – to have to deal with a difficult or unpleasant situation
- to poll – to take or register the votes of (persons)
- to converge – to coincide
- self – imposed (restriction, task, or situation) – one that you have deliberately created or accepted for yourself
- to overcommit – to promise, undertake, or allocate more than the available resources justify
Practice makes perfect
All the sentences below are extracted from the article. Fill each gap with the same word.
- The holidays are filled with both joy and ………… .
- On the bright side, seasonal ……… is acute, so it can be remedied.
- Coping with personal ……….. is already challenging, but when combined with workplace …….., it’s no wonder holiday cheers soon devolve into holiday sneers.
- The American Psychological Association found that 38% of people say their ………… increases during the holidays — only 8% of people say they feel happier.
- I believe one of the best ways to manage ……. and care for yourself is when you turn your focus toward caring for others first.
Key: stress
Fill in the sentence gaps with some of
the words from the Glossary:
1. He did not tell his relatives and friends about his ……….. .
2. Be mindful not to ………….yourself socially after work.
3. ”The same story you told me the last time we met,” she said with a ……. .
4. Students often have to ………… with exam stress.
5. The political campaign has shifted into ……….. nearing the elections.
6. She felt ……… embarrassment at his behaviour.
Key: 1. woes; 2. overcommit; 3. sneer; 4. contend; 5. overdrive; 6. acute
Watch and revise!
Managing Holiday Stress in the Workplace:
Tips for a Happier Team
https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/BY4FA7bEGy6HsMq
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