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Overtime becomes part of holiday pay (7th November, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Companies in the UK face a multibillion-dollar bill after a court ruled that overtime should be a factor in the calculation of holiday pay. This means the more overtime a worker does, the higher his or her holiday pay should be. An employment tribunal said it was wrong for companies just to consider basic working hours when determining holiday pay. It ruled that thousands of companies must recalculate their holiday pay. Tens of thousands of workers can now make claims from their employers backdated to as long ago as 1998. The tribunal also stipulated that voluntary overtime and time spent being on stand-by for emergency call-outs should be included when calculating holiday pay.

Over 15 per cent of British workers do overtime. The British government has said the new change in employment law is unacceptable and "ludicrous". It said: "We do not believe voluntary overtime should be included in holiday pay and are concerned about the potential impact on employers." An organisation of British companies said the cost to businesses will be "unbearable" and may have serious implications for Britain's economy. A labour union was pleased with the tribunal's announcement. It said: "This ruling not only secures justice for our members who were short-changed, but means employers have got to get their house in order." It said it would fight for workers to "receive their full entitlement".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/11207421/Overtime-should-count-in-holiday-pay-landmark-tribunal-hearing-rules.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/jobs/overtime-compensation---millions-brits-4563306
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29896810

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. HOLIDAY PAY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about holiday pay. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

multibillion-dollar bill / calculation / employment / working hours / voluntary / overtime / unacceptable / concerned / impact / businesses / serious implications / justice / fight

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. WORKING: What new laws should there be regarding these working issues? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good things now	Bad things now	Changes
Contracts
Overtime
Holidays
Training
Sick days
Performance

4. OVERTIME PAY: Students A strongly believe overtime pay should be double the rate of normal time; Students B strongly believe that's too much. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. WORKING CONDITIONS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• salary

• health cover

• good desk

• training

• chances for promotion

• holidays

• good boss

• nice colleagues

6. PAY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "pay". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	UK companies face repaying millions of dollars of tax to workers.	T / F
b.	A tribunal said it was wrong not to consider overtime in holiday pay.	T / F
c.	Workers will be able to receive pay dating back to 1998.	T / F
d.	Stand-by time for emergency call-outs will not be part of holiday pay.	T / F
e.	The British government fully backs the new law.	T / F
f.	A business organization worried the law could worsen the economy.	T / F
g.	A labour union was angry with the tribunal's decision.	T / F
h.	The union said it would fight to protect the government's rights.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	ruled	a.	working out
2.	consider	b.	specified
3.	claims	c.	cheated
4.	stipulated	d.	requests
5.	calculating	e.	harm
6.	ludicrous	f.	effect
7.	cost	g.	decided
8.	impact	h.	right
9.	short-changed	i.	ridiculous
10.	entitlement	j.	think of

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	Companies in the UK face a	a.	overtime
2.	a factor in the calculation	b.	working hours
3.	consider basic	c.	were short-changed
4.	backdated to	d.	impact on employers
5.	time spent being	e.	of holiday pay
6.	voluntary	f.	entitlement
7.	concerned about the potential	g.	on stand-by
8.	serious implications	h.	multibillion-dollar bill
9.	members who	i.	for Britain's economy
10.	receive their full	j.	as long ago as 1998

GAP FILL

Companies in the UK face a multibillion-dollar (1) ___________ after a court ruled that overtime should be a (2) ___________ in the calculation of holiday pay. This (3) ___________ the more overtime a worker does, the higher his or her holiday pay should be. An employment tribunal said it was wrong for companies just to consider (4) ___________ working hours when determining holiday pay. It ruled that thousands of companies must (5) ___________ their holiday pay. Tens of thousands of workers can now make (6) ___________ from their employers backdated to as long ago as 1998. The tribunal also (7) ___________ that voluntary overtime and time (8) ___________ being on stand-by for emergency call-outs should be included when calculating holiday pay.

means
claims
bill
spent
basic
factor
stipulated
recalculate

Over 15 per cent of British workers do (9) ___________. The British government has said the new change in employment law is (10) ___________ and "ludicrous". It said: "We do not believe voluntary overtime should be included in holiday pay and are concerned about the (11) ___________ impact on employers." An organisation of British companies said the (12) ___________ to businesses will be "unbearable" and may have serious (13) ___________ for Britain's economy. A labour union was pleased with the tribunal's announcement. It said: "This ruling not only secures (14) ___________ for our members who were short-changed, but means employers have got to get their (15) ___________ in order." It said it would fight for workers to "receive their (16) ___________ entitlement".

implications
overtime
house
unacceptable
cost
full
potential
justice

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	a court ruled that overtime should be a factor ______
	a. in the calculations b. in the calculator c. in the calculating d. in the calculation
2)	the more overtime a worker does, the higher his or her ______
	a. holiday pay should see b. holiday pay should been c. holiday pay should be d. holiday pay should free
3)	consider basic working hours when ______
	a. determine in holiday pay b. determining holiday pay c. determining in holiday pay d. determined in holiday pay
4)	Tens of thousands of workers can now make claims ______
	a. from their employer as b. from their employees c. from their employers d. from their employers as
5)	voluntary overtime and time spent being on stand-by ______
	a. for emergency's call-outs b. for emergency call-outs c. for emergencies call-outs d. for emergent sea call-outs
6)	Over 15 per cent of British ______
	a. workers done overtime b. workers do overtime c. workers to overtime d. workers true overtime
7)	the new change in employment law is unacceptable ______
	a. and "judicious" b. and "ludicrous" c. and "lewd and crass" d. and "loo declass"
8)	We do not believe voluntary overtime should be ______
	a. included on holiday pay b. included in holiday pay c. included for holiday pay d. included as holiday pay
9)	may have serious implications ______
	a. for Britain's economics b. for Britain's economy c. for Britain's economies d. for Britain's economic
10)	It said it would fight for workers to "receive ______"
	a. their fully entitlement b. their full entitled meant c. their full entitlement d. their fully entitlements

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Companies in the UK face a multibillion-dollar (1) ___________________ that overtime should be a factor in the calculation of holiday pay. This (2) ___________________ overtime a worker does, the higher his or her holiday pay should be. An employment tribunal said it was wrong for companies (3) ___________________ working hours when determining holiday pay. It (4) ___________________ of companies must recalculate their holiday pay. Tens of thousands of workers can now make claims from their employers (5) ___________________ ago as 1998. The tribunal also stipulated that voluntary overtime and time spent being on stand-by for emergency call-outs should (6) ___________________ calculating holiday pay.

Over 15 per cent of British (7) ___________________. The British government has said the new change in employment law is unacceptable and "ludicrous". It said: "We (8) ___________________ overtime should be included in holiday pay and are concerned (9) ___________________ impact on employers." An organisation of British companies said the cost to businesses will be "unbearable" and may (10) ___________________ for Britain's economy. A labour union was pleased with the tribunal's announcement. It said: "This ruling (11) ___________________ for our members who were short-changed, but means employers have got to get their house in order." It said it would (12) ___________________ "receive their full entitlement".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How much of a bill could British companies face for holiday pay?
2.	What did a tribunal say it was wrong for companies to consider?
3.	How many companies now need to recalculate their holiday pay?
4.	From how long ago can workers claim backdated pay?
5.	What else is now part of holiday pay besides voluntary overtime?
6.	What percentage of British workers do overtime?
7.	Who said the change in employment law was "ludicrous"?
8.	What did a business organization say there might be implications for?
9.	Who was pleased with the new law?
10.	What did a labour union say employers had to get in order?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How much of a bill could British companies face for holiday pay?	6.	What percentage of British workers do overtime?
	a) a multiple-quadrillion-dollar bill b) a multimillion-dollar bill c) a multitrillion-dollar bill d) a multibillion-dollar bill		a) 14 b) 15 c) 13 d) 16
2.	What did a tribunal say it was wrong for companies to consider?	7.	Who said the change in employment law was "ludicrous"?
	a) not paying overtime b) just basic working hours c) protesting against the law d) themselves		a) Workers of the World Unite b) labour unions c) Joe Bloggs d) Britain's government
3.	How many companies now need to recalculate their holiday pay?	8.	What did a business organisation say there might be implications for?
	a) hundreds of thousands b) 17,872 c) thousands d) millions		a) Britain's economy b) workers c) overtime being banned d) national holidays
4.	From how long ago can workers claim backdated pay?	9.	Who was pleased with the new law?
	a) 1998 b) 2002 c) 2006 d) 2008		a) Jo Bloggs b) people who refuse to do overtime c) a labour union d) Britain's government
5.	What else is now part of holiday pay besides voluntary overtime?	10.	What did a labour union say employers had to get in order?
	a) hotels and flights b) tax breaks c) stand-by for emergency call-outs d) standing room only		a) their numbers b) their house c) who is to be paid first d) documentation

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Health cover

You think health cover is the most important thing in a job. Tell the others three reasons why. Give three reasons why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a good desk, a nice boss or chances for promotion.

Role B – A good desk

You think a good desk is the most important thing in a job. Tell the others three reasons why. Give three reasons why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): health cover, a nice boss or chances for promotion.

Role C – A nice boss

You think a nice boss is the most important thing in a job. Tell the others three reasons why. Give three reasons why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a good desk, health cover or chances for promotion.

Role D – Chances for promotion

You think the chance for promotion is the most important thing in a job. Tell the others three reasons why. Give three reasons why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a good desk, a nice boss or health cover.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'holiday' and 'pay'.

holiday

pay

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

court
higher
wrong
tens
1998
emergency

15
change
impact
serious
short
full

HOLIDAY PAY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about holiday pay in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

HOLIDAY PAY DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'overtime'?
3)	What are working conditions like in your country?
4)	What do you think of the new holiday pay rule in Britain?
5)	How much holiday should workers get each year?
6)	Should workers get longer holidays if they do overtime?
7)	How important are holidays to you?
8)	Should companies employ more workers instead of relying on overtime?
9)	How much overtime would you do every week?
10)	What should the rate of overtime pay be?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Why does the British government dislike the new law?
13)	Do you think this rule is unfair on companies?
14)	Should the government help companies that get in financial trouble because of this law?
15)	What could companies give workers instead of holiday pay?
16)	What are the good and bad things about overtime?
17)	What are workers' rights like in your country?
18)	What are the good and bad things about labour unions?
19)	Do companies pay workers too little?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the tribunal judge?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Companies in the UK (1) ____ a multibillion-dollar bill after a court ruled that overtime should be a (2) ____ in the calculation of holiday pay. This means the more overtime a worker does, the higher his or her holiday pay should be. An employment tribunal said it was wrong for companies (3) ____ to consider basic working hours when (4) ____ holiday pay. It ruled that thousands of companies must recalculate their holiday pay. Tens of thousands of workers can now make (5) ____ from their employers backdated to as long ago as 1998. The tribunal also stipulated that voluntary overtime and time spent being (6) ____ stand-by for emergency call-outs should be included when calculating holiday pay.

Over 15 per cent of British workers do overtime. The British government has said the new change (7) ____ employment law is unacceptable and "ludicrous". It said: "We do not believe voluntary overtime should be included in holiday pay and are concerned about the (8) ____ impact on employers." An organisation of British companies said the cost to businesses will be "unbearable" and may have (9) ____ implications for Britain's economy. A labour union was (10) ____ with the tribunal's announcement. It said: "This ruling not only secures justice for our members who were (11) ____-changed, but means employers have got to get their house in order." It said it would fight for workers to "receive their (12) ____ entitlement".

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	skull	(b)	face	(c)	ear	(d)	head
2.	(a)	factory	(b)	factor	(c)	fraction	(d)	fractious
3.	(a)	adjust	(b)	justly	(c)	justice	(d)	just
4.	(a)	reminding	(b)	determining	(c)	remonstrating	(d)	ongoing
5.	(a)	calms	(b)	claims	(c)	clams	(d)	climbs
6.	(a)	to	(b)	for	(c)	on	(d)	from
7.	(a)	as	(b)	at	(c)	in	(d)	by
8.	(a)	forecast	(b)	likened	(c)	potential	(d)	possibly
9.	(a)	series	(b)	seriousness	(c)	cereal	(d)	serious
10.	(a)	pleasant	(b)	pleasure	(c)	pleasing	(d)	pleased
11.	(a)	short	(b)	un	(c)	so	(d)	tall
12.	(a)	packed	(b)	stuffed	(c)	full	(d)	bursting

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	Companies in the UK face a niilllumtobi-dollar
2.	the lintcuaaclo of holiday pay
3.	meiinegrtdn holiday pay
4.	kaddtaceb to as long ago as 1998
5.	rauoyvlnt overtime
6.	meengyecr call-outs
Paragraph 2
7.	unacceptable and liudrcsuo
8.	the itepltona impact on employers
9.	the cost to businesses will be "naauebelbr"
10.	serious ainliscipmot
11.	secures suiejtc for our members
12.	receive their full emeeintttnl

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	get their house in order." It said it would fight for workers to "receive their full entitlement".
( )	Over 15 per cent of British workers do overtime. The British government has said the new
( )	be a factor in the calculation of holiday pay. This means the more overtime a worker does, the higher
( )	implications for Britain's economy. A labour union was pleased with the tribunal's announcement. It said: "This
( )	to as long ago as 1998. The tribunal also stipulated that voluntary
( )	change in employment law is unacceptable and "ludicrous". It said: "We do not believe voluntary overtime should
( )	be included in holiday pay and are concerned about the potential impact on employers." An organisation
( )	his or her holiday pay should be. An employment tribunal said it was wrong for companies just to consider basic
( )	working hours when determining holiday pay. It ruled that thousands of companies must
( )	ruling not only secures justice for our members who were short-changed, but means employers have got to
( )	recalculate their holiday pay. Tens of thousands of workers can now make claims from their employers backdated
( 1 )	Companies in the UK face a multibillion-dollar bill after a court ruled that overtime should
( )	of British companies said the cost to businesses will be "unbearable" and may have serious
( )	overtime and time spent being on stand-by for emergency call-outs should be included when calculating holiday pay.

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	dollar bill Companies in the UK face a multibillion - .
2.	in factor a be should Overtime pay holiday of calculation the .
3.	holiday companies pay must recalculate Thousands their of .
4.	of workers make Tens of now thousands can claims .
5.	on Time - for stand spent outs emergency - being call by .
6.	of do Over cent workers per British overtime 15 .
7.	We believe should not overtime included do voluntary be .
8.	about Concerned employers on impact potential the .
9.	implications serious have May economy Britain's for .
10.	got their order have get in Employers to house .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Companies in the UK face / head a multibillion-dollar bill after a court ruled that overtime should be a factor / fraction in the calculation of holiday pay. This means the more overtime a worker doing / does, the higher his or her holiday pay shouldn't / should be. An employment tribunal said it was wrong for companies just to consider basically / basic working hours when determining / determination holiday pay. It ruled that thousands of companies must recalculate their holiday pay. Tens for / of thousands of workers can now make claims / calms from their employers backdated to as long ago as 1998. The tribunal also stipulated that voluntary / volunteers overtime and time spent being on / in stand-by for emergency call-outs should be included when calculating holiday pay.

Over 15 per cent of British workers do / act overtime. The British government has said the new change in employment lawyers / law is unacceptable and "ludicrous" / "luscious". It said: "We do not believe voluntary overtime should be included / includes in holiday pay and are concerned about the potential impact on / by employers." An organisation of British companies said the cost / costly to businesses will be "unbearable" and may have series / serious implications for Britain's economy. A labour union was pleased / pleasing with the tribunal's announcement. It said: "This ruling not really / only secures justice for our members who were short-changed, but means employers have got to get their house in order." It said it would fight for workers to "receive their full / fully entitlement".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

C_mp_n__s _n th_ _K f_c_ _ m_lt_b_ll__n-d_ll_r b_ll _ft_r _ c__rt r_l_d th_t _v_rt_m_ sh__ld b_ _ f_ct_r _n th_ c_lc_l_t__n _f h_l_d_y p_y. Th_s m__ns th_ m_r_ _v_rt_m_ _ w_rk_r d__s, th_ h_gh_r h_s _r h_r h_l_d_y p_y sh__ld b_. _n _mpl_ym_nt tr_b_n_l s__d _t w_s wr_ng f_r c_mp_n__s j_st t_ c_ns_d_r b_s_c w_rk_ng h__rs wh_n d_t_rm_n_ng h_l_d_y p_y. _t r_l_d th_t th__s_nds _f c_mp_n__s m_st r_c_lc_l_t_ th__r h_l_d_y p_y. T_ns _f th__s_nds _f w_rk_rs c_n n_w m_k_ cl__ms fr_m th__r _mpl_y_rs b_ckd_t_d t_ _s l_ng _g_ _s 1998. Th_ tr_b_n_l _ls_ st_p_l_t_d th_t v_l_nt_ry _v_rt_m_ _nd t_m_ sp_nt b__ng _n st_nd-by f_r _m_rg_ncy c_ll-__ts sh__ld b_ _ncl_d_d wh_n c_lc_l_t_ng h_l_d_y p_y.

_v_r 15 p_r c_nt _f Br_t_sh w_rk_rs d_ _v_rt_m_. Th_ Br_t_sh g_v_rnm_nt h_s s__d th_ n_w ch_ng_ _n _mpl_ym_nt l_w _s _n_cc_pt_bl_ _nd "l_d_cr__s". _t s__d: "W_ d_ n_t b_l__v_ v_l_nt_ry _v_rt_m_ sh__ld b_ _ncl_d_d _n h_l_d_y p_y _nd _r_ c_nc_rn_d _b__t th_ p_t_nt__l _mp_ct _n _mpl_y_rs." _n _rg_n_s_t__n _f Br_t_sh c_mp_n__s s__d th_ c_st t_ b_s_n_ss_s w_ll b_ "_nb__r_bl_" _nd m_y h_v_ s_r___s _mpl_c_t__ns f_r Br_t__n's _c_n_my. _ l_b__r _n__n w_s pl__s_d w_th th_ tr_b_n_l's _nn__nc_m_nt. _t s__d: "Th_s r_l_ng n_t _nly s_c_r_s j_st_c_ f_r __r m_mb_rs wh_ w_r_ sh_rt-ch_ng_d, b_t m__ns _mpl_y_rs h_v_ g_t t_ g_t th__r h__s_ _n _rd_r." _t s__d _t w__ld f_ght f_r w_rk_rs t_ "r_c__v_ th__r f_ll _nt_tl_m_nt".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

companies in the uk face a multibillion-dollar bill after a court ruled that overtime should be a factor in the calculation of holiday pay this means the more overtime a worker does the higher his or her holiday pay should be an employment tribunal said it was wrong for companies just to consider basic working hours when determining holiday pay it ruled that thousands of companies must recalculate their holiday pay tens of thousands of workers can now make claims from their employers backdated to as long ago as 1998 the tribunal also stipulated that voluntary overtime and time spent being on stand-by for emergency call-outs should be included when calculating holiday pay

over 15 per cent of british workers do overtime the british government has said the new change in employment law is unacceptable and "ludicrous" it said "we do not believe voluntary overtime should be included in holiday pay and are concerned about the potential impact on employers" an organisation of british companies said the cost to businesses will be "unbearable" and may have serious implications for britain's economy a labour union was pleased with the tribunal's announcement it said "this ruling not only secures justice for our members who were short-changed but means employers have got to get their house in order" it said it would fight for workers to "receive their full entitlement"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

CompaniesintheUKfaceamultibillion-dollarbillafteracourtruledtha
tovertimeshouldbeafactorinthecalculationofholidaypay.Thismeanst
hemoreovertimeaworkerdoes,thehigherhisorherholidaypayshouldb
e.Anemploymenttribunalsaiditwaswrongforcompaniesjusttoconsid
erbasicworkinghourswhendeterminingholidaypay.Itruledthatthous
andsofcompaniesmustrecalculatetheirholidaypay.Tensofthousands
ofworkerscannowmakeclaimsfromtheiremployersbackdatedtoaslon
gagoas1998.Thetribunalalsostipulatedthatvoluntaryovertimeandti
mespentbeingonstand-byforemergencycall-outsshouldbeinclud
edwhencalculatingholidaypay.Over15percentofBritishworkersdoov
ertime.TheBritishgovernmenthassaidthenewchangeinemploymentl
awisunacceptableand"ludicrous".Itsaid:"Wedonotbelievevoluntary
overtimeshouldbeincludedinholidaypayandareconcernedaboutthep
otentialimpactonemployers."AnorganisationofBritishcompaniessai
dthecosttobusinesseswillbe"unbearable"andmayhaveseriousimplic
ationsforBritain'seconomy.Alabourunionwaspleasedwiththetribunal
'sannouncement.Itsaid:"Thisrulingnotonlysecuresjusticeforourme
mberswhowereshort-changed,butmeansemployershavegottogett
heirhouseinorder."Itsaiditwouldfightforworkersto"receivetheirfulle
ntitlement".

FREE WRITING

Write about holiday pay for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Companies should hire more workers instead of requiring overtime from existing workers. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about holiday pay. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. HOLIDAY PAY: Make a poster about holiday pay. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. OVERTIME: Write a magazine article about overtime. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an employment expert. Ask him/her three questions about holiday pay. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make the system better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	ruled	a.	decided
2.	consider	b.	think of
3.	claims	c.	requests
4.	stipulated	d.	specified
5.	calculating	e.	working out
6.	ludicrous	f.	ridiculous
7.	cost	g.	harm
8.	impact	h.	effect
9.	short-changed	i.	cheated
10.	entitlement	j.	right

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	A multibillion-dollar bill
2.	Just basic working hours
3.	Thousands
4.	1998
5.	Stand-by for emergency call-outs
6.	15
7.	Britain's government
8.	Britain's economy
9.	A labour union
10.	Their house

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Overtime becomes part of holiday pay (7th November, 2014)

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