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1 Warm up
Look at the two photos below and answer the following questions.
Picture A Picture B
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2 Focus on vocabulary 1
Part A: Read the sentences and match each underlined word or phrase to its correct definition.
1. The doctor was available out of hours because there were too many patients to see during the
day.
2. The proposed guidelines say that employees must have a lunch break that is at least one hour.
3. Sarah is always at her employer’s disposal. She even takes her calls during the weekend.
4. Carrie has to be ready to respond to her boss at any moment. There is no downtime for her.
5. You shouldn’t wolf down your food before work because this can cause stomach problems.
e. ready to assist the person concerned in any way they wish at all times
Part B: Write three sentences using phrases from Part A. Work with a partner and read out each
sentence, but don’t say the phrase. Tell your partner to guess which phrase you used.
You are going to read an article about the plan to ban out-of-hours emails in France. Find answers to
the questions below.
2. What is the maximum amount of time that somebody can currently work for during a week?
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A. France’s parliament are considering a law that would clamp down on employees sending emails out of working
hours. Under the proposed guidelines, businesses with more than 50 employees would be required to create a
document, setting out the hours when employees are not supposed to be sending emails.
B. Is there a problem? It’s certainly true that in our working world with technology, as it is, many of us are always on.
Mobiles by your side, is a quick glance at the inbox too tempting? Yes, and before you know it you’re rushing out
an email as you get on a bus only for a reply to hit you as you take your seat. In the evenings and at weekends
how easy is it to flick between Facebook notifications and work emails? And even at night time who’s guilty of
sleeping with their smartphone surreptitiously tucked under the pillow? There’s no downtime and that can’t be
good.
C. What laws do we have to prevent digital burnout? We’ve hardly any. Under the Working Time Regulations workers
mustn’t work more than 48 hours each week, averaging over 17 weeks. Workers can opt out provided that they
provide a minimum of 7 days’ notice. They may have to give more notice up to a maximum of 3 months if there’s
an agreement with the employer.
D. There are also some exceptions to the 48 hour week which include workers whose working time is not measured
and are in control of their work. And would checking emails and replying out of hours be included within the
working time? They probably wouldn’t. Working time is defined as working at your employer’s disposal and
carrying out your duties; periods when the employee is receiving relevant training; and other periods stated in an
agreement.
E. Time working at home, as part of a flexible working arrangement, instead of being in the office, would be covered.
However, choosing to respond to emails as you step out of the shower or wolf down your breakfast wouldn’t
be included because you wouldn’t be at your employer’s disposal at that time. But is intervention necessary?
Some employees may prefer answering emails in their own time to make the return to’work’ less painful. What
about globalisation - and companies dealing with clients in different time zones? And then there’s social media?
Interestingly, the bill in France has no penalties, and companies are expected to comply voluntarily. Employees
will have to buy into this too.
source: independent.co.uk
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4 Phrasal verbs
Part A: Match the infinitive form of the phrasal verb from the article to the correct definitions below.
buy into carry out clamp down deal with opt out rush out
Part B: Write the correct word from Part A in the gaps in the sentences below. You may need to
change the form of the word.
3. Under the Working Time Regulations, workers can provided that they give a
minimum of 7 days notice.
4. Working time is defined as working at the employer’s disposal and your duties.
5. Globalization and companies clients in different time zones are challenges to prevent
digital burnout.
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5 Focus on vocabulary 2
Complete the gaps with the correct word or phrase.
comply voluntarily draws concern flick between hits intervention quick glance set to
7. If you obey rules when you are not forced to, you .
1. How can individuals encourage others to comply voluntarily with social norms or ethical standards?
2. Why do some people flick between different tasks instead of focusing on one task at a time, and
does it affect their productivity?
3. Have you ever experienced a moment where it hit you how much work you still had to do? How
did you handle it?
6 Talking point
Discuss the questions below.
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Work in pairs and decide who is Student A and who is Student B. Then read your card and prepare a
short conversation.
• describe the symptoms you are experiencing (fatigue, lack of motivation, stress)
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Key
1. Warm up
5 mins.
Ask the students to look at the two photos and answer the questions. Encourage a short discussion. Note that
burnout is not being able to work because of extreme tiredness or stress.
2. Focus on vocabulary 1
10 mins.
Part A
First, tell the students to read the sentences and match each underlined word or phrase to its correct definition.
Part B
Then the students write three sentences using phrases from Part A. Encourage them to work with a partner. They
should read out each sentence, but without saying the phrase so that their partner can guess which phrase you
used.
1. → a. 2. → c. 3. → e. 4. → d. 5. → b.
10 - 15 mins.
Students are going to read an article about the plan to ban out-of-hours emails in France. Find answers to the
questions below. Get students to read the text on their own, or parts can be read aloud in class.
1. The "right to disconnect" - the right not to answer emails outside work hours (article subtitle)
2. 48 hrs per week (para. C)
3. Those with 50+ employees (para. A)
4. People whose working time is not measured and are in control of their work (para. D)
5. Globalisation, time zones and social media (para. E)
Article source:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/should-employees-be-banned-from-sending-emails-out-of-
hours-a7031991.html
4. Phrasal verbs
Part A
10 mins.
Students match the infinitive form of the phrasal verbs to the correct definitions. Students can work individually
and check in pairs. Go through the answers. At the end of the lesson, see how many of the phrasal verbs the
students can remember.
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TEACHER MATERIALS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)
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Students write the correct word from Part A in the gaps in the sentences below.
5. Focus on vocabulary 2
10 mins.
Students complete the gaps with a word or phrase from the text.
6. Talking point
10 mins.
Encourage the students to work in pairs or small groups and discuss the questions.
15 mins +.
Students work in pairs. Divide the class into pairs and assign Student A/B roles (or let them decide). Students read
their cards and prepare for the role play.
1. One student will play the role of an employee who is experiencing work burnout, while the other student will
play the role of a co-worker or manager offering support.
2. The employee with burnout will describe the symptoms they are experiencing such as fatigue, lack of motivation,
and stress.
3. The co-worker or manager will ask follow-up questions to better understand the situation and offer suggestions
for coping with work burnout.
4. The co-worker or manager may suggest ways to manage stress, such as taking breaks, practising self-care, and
talking to a supervisor about workload.
5. After the roleplay, students will switch roles and repeat the exercise.
6. Finally, have a class discussion about the importance of recognizing and addressing work burnout, and strategies
for preventing burnout in the future.
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Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in André Lunardelli's lessons.