【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. adopt /əˈdɒpt/ (v.) – to take or raise another person’s child as one’s own
Example: The young couple decided to adopt a daughter.
2. avail of /əˈveɪl ʌv/ (v.) – to use, consume, or buy something
Example: I’d like to avail of the company’s new service.
3. benefit /ˈbɛn ə fɪt/ (n.) – something that a company gives its employees other than salary
Example: The company gives many benefits to its full-time staff.
4. lure /lʊər/ (v.) – to attract
Example: Our company is trying to lure more applicants this month.
5. retention /rɪˈtɛn ʃən/ (n.) – the act or condition of keeping someone in a job
Example: The human resources department is finding ways to increase retention among employees.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Netflix has introduced a new benefit for its employees—a yearlong paid leave for new parents.
New parents who have either given birth or recently adopted a child will be able to avail of this benefit. Tawni Cranz, chief talent officer at Netflix, said that the idea behind this benefit is to save employees from worrying about work and money as they build their families.
Employees who choose to avail of this benefit can come back to work part-time or full-time. They can also return for a few months and leave whenever they need to do so during their first year of being parents. Whatever they choose, Netflix guarantees that the employees will still receive their full salaries, as well as their benefits.
Other companies that also offer long, paid parental leave for their employees include Facebook, Microsoft, Adobe, and Reddit. Microsoft allows its employees to be on parental leave for three months, while Facebook, Adobe, and Reddit offer paid parental leave for four months.
While this perk is good for the employees, it also has a positive effect on the company. Bruce Elliot from the Society for Human Resource Management said that more companies are offering this kind of benefit because they see it as an investment. They use this benefit to lure a more talented and diverse set of potential employees to apply. This benefit can also be useful when it comes to the retention of employees, especially female ones who recently became new mothers.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Should more companies provide long, paid parental leave for employees? Why or why not?
· What can be the disadvantages of offering this kind of benefit?
Discussion B
· How can a company keep its employees motivated?
· What are work benefits that you think companies should offer?
