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Mothers face workplace discrimination (10th August, 2013)

More than one in four British mothers who have returned to work feel discriminated against. This is according to a survey conducted by the legal firm Slater and Gordon (S&G). Researchers questioned 1,975 women about their experiences in the workplace before and after giving birth. Most of the women had never filed any kind of complaint as they suspected it would be a waste of time and be even more detrimental to their career prospects. Grievances aired in the survey included mothers being overlooked for promotion, and more junior employees progressing faster up the career ladder. Another common gripe was their points of view being considered less worthy than those of colleagues without children.


 

The findings contrast with the opinions of managers and employers. A director at Britain's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: "We don't recognise the picture painted here. Our experience is that…businesses are better than ever at managing maternity leave and reintegrating mothers on their return." The UK's employment minister Jo Swinson said: "The government is committed to making sure that more businesses make the best use of women's talents throughout the organisation, from boardroom to the shop floor." S&G lawyer Kiran Daurka said: "It is shocking that so few women speak out when they suffer discrimination." She accused employers of avoiding the issues and of "burying their heads in the sand".

Try Level 4 or Level 5

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23600465
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/discrimination-against-new-mothers-rife-1-3034121
http://news.sky.com/story/1125885/one-in-four-mums-feel-work-discrimination



 

WARM-UPS

1. DISCRIMINATION: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about discrimination. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

one in four / discriminated against / survey / giving birth / waste of time / career / opinions / maternity leave / committed / women's talents / avoiding the issues / sand

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

3. MATERNITY LEAVE: What's best? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good for Mum

Bad for Mum

Good for boss

Bad for boss

Before birth

 

 

 

 

After birth

 

 

 

 

Salary

 

 

 

 

Creche

 

 

 

 

Office mail

 

 

 

 

Work at home

 

 

 

 

4. EQUALITY: Students A strongly believe there will be equality in the workplace one day; Students B strongly believe there won't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. WOMEN'S TALENTS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the ones women do better at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • manage companies

  • drive

  • cook

  • give good advice

  • be creative

  • debate

  • give advice

  • be fair

6. SURVEY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'survey'. 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.

Half of British mothers face discrimination at work.

T / F

b.

A legal firm interviewed 19,750 working mothers.

T / F

c.

Most of those interviewed had never complained about discrimination.

T / F

d.

Mothers complained about their opinions being less valuable.

T / F

e.

Employers and business leaders agreed with the survey's findings.

T / F

f.

A business leader said maternity leave is better than ever before.

T / F

g.

A lawyer isn't surprised women do not speak out about discrimination.

T / F

h.

The lawyer said employers bury their heads in the sand.

T / F

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

1.

conducted

a.

acknowledge

2.

suspected

b.

opinions

3.

grievances

c.

differ from

4.

points of view

d.

carried out

5.

colleagues

e.

all over

6.

contrast

f.

thought

7.

recognise

g.

dodging

8.

committed

h.

complaints

9.

throughout

i.

coworkers

10.

avoiding

j.

dedicated

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

1.

More than one in

a.

their career prospects

2.

women had never filed

b.

considered less worthy

3.

more detrimental to

c.

to the shop floor

4.

progressing faster

d.

any kind of complaint

5.

their points of view being

e.

managing maternity leave

6.

businesses are better than ever at

f.

four British mothers

7.

make the best use

g.

few women speak out

8.

from boardroom

h.

in the sand

9.

It is shocking that so

i.

of women's talents

10.

burying their heads

j.

up the career ladder

GAP FILL

More than one in four British mothers who have returned to work feel discriminated (1) ____________. This is according to a survey conducted by the legal (2) ____________ Slater and Gordon (S&G). Researchers questioned 1,975 women about their experiences in the workplace before and after (3) ____________ birth. Most of the women had never filed any kind of complaint as they suspected it would be a waste of time and be even more (4) ____________ to their career prospects. Grievances aired in the survey included mothers being (5) ____________ for promotion, and more junior employees progressing faster up the career (6) ____________. Another common (7) ____________ was their points of view being considered less (8) ____________ than those of colleagues without children.

 

 

gripe
giving
overlooked
against
worthy
firm
ladder
detrimental

The findings (9) ____________ with the opinions of managers and employers. A director at Britain's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: "We don't recognise the (10) ____________ painted here. Our experience is that…businesses are better than ever at managing maternity leave and (11) ____________ mothers on their return." The UK's employment minister Jo Swinson said: "The government is (12) ____________ to making sure that more businesses make the best use of women's talents (13) ____________ the organisation, from boardroom to the shop floor." S&G lawyer Kiran Daurka said: "It is shocking that so (14) ____________ women speak out when they (15) ____________ discrimination." She accused employers of avoiding the issues and of "burying their (16) ____________ in the sand".

 

few
heads
picture
committed
suffer
contrast
throughout
reintegrating

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

More than one in four British mothers who have returned to work ______

 

a.  feel discriminated again
b.  feel discriminated against
c.  feel discriminated aghast
d.  feel discriminated a gangster

2)

Most of the women had never filed any ______

 

a.  kind of compliant
b.  kind of complainant
c.  kind of complaint
d.  kind of complaints

3)

Grievances aired in the survey included mothers being ______

 

a.  overbooked for promotion
b.  overly looked for promotion
c.  over looking for promotion
d.  overlooked for promotion

4)

more junior employees progressing faster up ______

 

a.  the career ladder
b.  the career larder
c.  the career bladder
d.  the career ladders

5)

their points of view being considered less worthy than ______

 

a.  those of colleague
b.  those of colleges
c.  those of colleagues
d.  those of colleague

6)

The findings contrast with the opinions of ______

 

a.  managers and employer
b.  managers and employees
c.  managers and employers
d.  managers and employs

7)

businesses are better than ever at managing maternity leave and ______

 

a.  reintegrating mothers
b.  reintegration mothers
c.  reintegrated mothers
d.  reintegrates mothers

8)

committed to making sure that more businesses make the best use ______

 

a.  of women's talons
b.  of women's talents
c.  of women's talent
d.  of women's talented

9)

It is shocking that so few women speak out when they ______

 

a.  suffers discrimination
b.  suffered discrimination
c.  suffering discrimination
d.  suffer discrimination

10)

avoiding the issues and of "burying their ______"

 

a.  heads in the sand
b.  heads in the sandy
c.  head in the sand
d.  heads on the sand

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

More (1) ___________________ British mothers who have returned to work feel discriminated against. This is according (2) ___________________ by the legal firm Slater and Gordon (S&G). Researchers questioned 1,975 women (3) ___________________ in the workplace before and after giving birth. Most of the women had (4) ___________________ of complaint as they suspected it would be a waste of time and be even more detrimental to their career prospects. Grievances (5) ___________________ included mothers being overlooked for promotion, and more junior employees progressing faster up the career ladder. Another common gripe was their points of view being (6) ___________________ than those of colleagues without children.

The findings contrast (7) ___________________ managers and employers. A director at Britain's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: "We don't recognise the picture painted here. Our (8) ___________________ businesses are better than ever at managing maternity leave and reintegrating (9) ___________________." The UK's employment minister Jo Swinson said: "The government is (10) ___________________ sure that more businesses make the best use of women's talents throughout the organisation, from boardroom to the shop floor." S&G lawyer Kiran Daurka said: "It is shocking (11) ___________________ speak out when they suffer discrimination." She accused employers of avoiding the issues and of "burying their (12) ___________________ ".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

How many British mothers feel discriminated against at work?

2.

How many women took part in a survey?

3.

What had most women never complained?

4.

Who is getting promoted ahead of working mothers?

5.

What do working mothers thing isn't being valued?

6.

Whose opinions are different to those found in the survey?

7.

What did a director say was better than ever?

8.

What does the UK government want to exploit?

9.

How does Kiran Daurka feel about women not speaking out?

10.

What are employers doing with their heads?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

How many British mothers feel discriminated against at work?

6.

Whose opinions are different to those found in the survey?

 

a) over 25%
b) 1,975
c) all of them
d) millions

 

a) mothers
b) lawyers
c) researchers
d) employers and companies

2.

How many women took part in a survey?

7.

What did a director say was better than ever?

 

a) half
b) over 25%
c) 1,975
d) millions

 

a) prospects for promotion
b) pay
c) maternity leave
d) integration of viewpoints

3.

What had most women never complained?

8.

What does the UK government want to exploit?

 

a) a tax return
b) letters
c) their nails
d) a complaint

 

a) women
b) women's talents
c) working mothers
d) businesses

4.

Who is getting promoted ahead of working mothers?

9.

How does Kiran Daurka feel about women not speaking out?

 

a) older women
b) junior workers
c) part-time workers
d) working fathers

 

a) neutral
b) amazed
c) shocked
d) numbness

5.

What do working mothers thing isn't being valued?

10.

What are employers doing with their heads?

 

a) their opinions
b) company shares
c) loyalty
d) babies and children

 

a) massaging them
b) burying then in the sand
c) getting them tested
d) banging them against a wall

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Longer maternity leave

You think longer maternity leave is most important for new working mothers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): better creche facilities, working from home or financial support for baby.

Role  B – Better creche facilities

You think better creche facilities is new working mothers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): longer maternity leave, working from home or financial support for baby.

Role  C – Working from home

You think working from home is new working mothers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): better creche facilities, longer maternity leave or financial support for baby.

Role  D – Financial support for baby

You think financial support for baby is new working mothers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): better creche facilities, working from home or longer maternity leave.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

work

place

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • four
  • questioned
  • birth
  • waste
  • junior
  • worthy
  • contrast
  • picture
  • leave
  • sure
  • floor
  • sand

DISCRIMINATION SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about discrimination 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.

DISCRIMINATION DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'discrimination'?

c)

What do you think about working mothers being discriminated against?

d)

Should women complain more to bosses about discrimination?

e)

Why are working mothers discriminated against?

f)

Why would complaining be bad for a working mother's career?

g)

Should employers do more for working mothers?

h)

What do you think of people who say mothers should stay at home?

i)

Why would people devalue the opinions of a female colleague with a baby?

j)

Should childless colleagues stand up more for working mothers?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Why does discrimination happen?

c)

What do working mothers need?

d)

Why do managers and employers not agree with the survey?

e)

What is the worst kind of discrimination?

f)

What is maternity (and paternity) leave like in your country?

g)

How long should maternity leave be?

h)

Have you ever been discriminated against?

i)

Why do managers bury their heads in the sand? Do you ever do this?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the director of Britain's CBI?

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

More than one (1) ____ four British mothers who have returned to work feel discriminated against. This is according (2) ____ a survey conducted by the legal firm Slater and Gordon (S&G). Researchers questioned 1,975 women about their experiences in the workplace before and after (3) ____ birth. Most of the women had never filed any kind of complaint as they suspected it would be a waste of time and be even more (4) ____ to their career prospects. Grievances aired in the survey included mothers being (5) ____ for promotion, and more junior employees progressing faster up the career ladder. Another common gripe was their points of view being considered less (6) ____ than those of colleagues without children.

The (7) ____ contrast with the opinions of managers and employers. A director at Britain's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: "We don't recognise the (8) ____ painted here. Our experience is that…businesses are better than ever at managing maternity leave and reintegrating mothers on their (9) ____." The UK's employment minister Jo Swinson said: "The government is committed (10) ____ making sure that more businesses make the best use of women's talents throughout the organisation, from boardroom to the shop floor." S&G lawyer Kiran Daurka said: "It is shocking that so (11) ____ women speak out when they suffer discrimination." She accused employers of avoiding the issues and of "burying their heads in the (12) ____ ".

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

1.

(a)

through

(b)

out

(c)

in

(d)

by

2.

(a)

to

(b)

of

(c)

by

(d)

at

3.

(a)

giving

(b)

gives

(c)

gave

(d)

given

4.

(a)

detrimental

(b)

determined

(c)

deferential

(d)

diabolical

5.

(a)

overworked

(b)

overlooked

(c)

overcooked

(d)

overbooked

6.

(a)

worthless

(b)

worthiness

(c)

worth

(d)

worthy

7.

(a)

bargains

(b)

inventions

(c)

findings

(d)

locations

8.

(a)

portrait

(b)

painting

(c)

sketch

(d)

picture

9.

(a)

return

(b)

departure

(c)

homecoming

(d)

yield

10.

(a)

at

(b)

to

(c)

of

(d)

for

11.

(a)

little

(b)

few

(c)

less

(d)

dearth

12.

(a)

dune

(b)

beach

(c)

sand

(d)

shore

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

coadnrcig to a survey

2.

tdlieaertmn to their career prospects

3.

vcearsegni aired in the survey

4.

being overlooked for irooopnmt

5.

being considered less hryotw

6.

geoescllau without children

Paragraph 2

7.

We don't csgeireno (UK) / egcrznioe (USA) the picture

8.

metianyrt leave

9.

naietgrteignr mothers on their return

10.

The government is omictmdte to making sure…

11.

she accused employers of givoaidn the issues

12.

ynibgru their heads in the sand

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

The findings contrast with the opinions of managers and employers. A director at Britain's Confederation

1  )

More than one in four British mothers who have returned to work feel discriminated

(    )

talents throughout the organisation, from boardroom to the shop floor." S&G lawyer Kiran Daurka

(    )

of British Industry (CBI) said: "We don't recognise the picture painted here. Our experience is that…businesses are better than

(    )

minister Jo Swinson said: "The government is committed to making sure that more businesses make the best use of women's

(    )

never filed any kind of complaint as they suspected it would be a waste of time and be even more

(    )

said: "It is shocking that so few women speak out when they suffer discrimination." She accused

(    )

against. This is according to a survey conducted by the legal firm Slater and Gordon (S&G). Researchers

(    )

detrimental to their career prospects. Grievances aired in the survey included mothers being overlooked

(    )

questioned 1,975 women about their experiences in the workplace before and after giving birth. Most of the women had

(    )

gripe was their points of view being considered less worthy than those of colleagues without children.

(    )

ever at managing maternity leave and reintegrating mothers on their return." The UK's employment

(    )

for promotion, and more junior employees progressing faster up the career ladder. Another common

(    )

employers of avoiding the issues and of "burying their heads in the sand".

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

before   in    birth    and   the   after    workplace   Experiences .  giving

2.

The     never     kind     had     any     complaint     women     filed    of.    

3.

career     their     to     detrimental     more     Even     prospects.    

4.

employees   career    progressing    ladder   faster     up    Junior    the.    

5.

those     of     Less     colleagues     worthy    without    than    children.    

6.

contrast     managers     with     the     The     opinions     findings     of.    

7.

experience    businesses    than    Our    that    better    is    are    ever.    

8.

leave     reintegrating     maternity     and     mothers     Managing.    

9.

women's     the     talents     best     use     Businesses     of     make.    

10.

so     speak     It     that     women     shocking     few     out     is.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

More than one in / by four British mothers who have returned to work feel discriminated for / against. This is according to / by a survey conducted by the legal firm Slater and Gordon (S&G). Researchers questioned 1,975 women about their experiences in the workplace before and after / post giving birth. Most of the women had never flied / filed any kind of complaint as they suspected / suspicion it would be a waste of time and be even more detrimental to their career respects / prospects. Grievances aired / earthed in the survey included mothers being overlooked for promotion, and more junior employees progressing faster up the career stairs / ladder. Another common gripe was their points of view being considered less worth / worthy than those of colleagues without children.

The findings contrast at / with the opinions of managers and employees / employers. A director at Britain's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: "We don't recognise the picture / portrait painted here. Our experience is that…businesses are better than ever / even at managing maternity / paternity leave and reintegrating mothers on their homecoming / return." The UK's employment minister Jo Swinson said: "The government is committed to making ensure / sure that more businesses make / do the best use of women's talents throughout the organisation, from boardroom to the shop ceiling / floor." S&G lawyer Kiran Daurka said: "It is shocking that so few women speak out when they suffer discrimination." She accused employers of avoiding the issues and of "burying their heads in the beach / sand".

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)

M_r_ th_n _n_ _n f__r Br_t_sh m_th_rs wh_ h_v_ r_t_rn_d t_ w_rk f__l d_scr_m_n_t_d _g__nst. Th_s _s _cc_rd_ng t_ _ s_rv_y c_nd_ct_d by th_ l_g_l f_rm Sl_t_r _nd G_rd_n (S&G). R_s__rch_rs q__st__n_d 1,975 w_m_n _b__t th__r _xp_r__nc_s _n th_ w_rkpl_c_ b_f_r_ _nd _ft_r g_v_ng b_rth. M_st _f th_ w_m_n h_d n_v_r f_l_d _ny k_nd _f c_mpl__nt _s th_y s_sp_ct_d _t w__ld b_ _ w_st_ _f t_m_ _nd b_ _v_n m_r_ d_tr_m_nt_l t_ th__r c_r__r pr_sp_cts. Gr__v_nc_s __r_d _n th_ s_rv_y _ncl_d_d m_th_rs b__ng _v_rl__k_d f_r pr_m_t__n, _nd m_r_ j_n__r _mpl_y__s pr_gr_ss_ng f_st_r _p th_ c_r__r l_dd_r. _n_th_r c_mm_n gr_p_ w_s th__r p__nts _f v__w b__ng c_ns_d_r_d l_ss w_rthy th_n th_s_ _f c_ll__g__s w_th__t ch_ldr_n.

Th_ f_nd_ngs c_ntr_st w_th th_ _p_n__ns _f m_n_g_rs _nd _mpl_y_rs. _ d_r_ct_r _t Br_t__n's C_nf_d_r_t__n _f Br_t_sh _nd_stry (CB_) s__d: "W_ d_n't r_c_gn_s_ th_ p_ct_r_ p__nt_d h_r_. __r _xp_r__nc_ _s th_t…b_s_n_ss_s _r_ b_tt_r th_n _v_r _t m_n_g_ng m_t_rn_ty l__v_ _nd r__nt_gr_t_ng m_th_rs _n th__r r_t_rn." Th_ _K's _mpl_ym_nt m_n_st_r J_ Sw_ns_n s__d: "Th_ g_v_rnm_nt _s c_mm_tt_d t_ m_k_ng s_r_ th_t m_r_ b_s_n_ss_s m_k_ th_ b_st _s_ _f w_m_n's t_l_nts thr__gh__t th_ _rg_n_s_t__n, fr_m b__rdr__m t_ th_ sh_p fl__r." S&G l_wy_r K_r_n D__rk_ s__d: "_t _s sh_ck_ng th_t s_ f_w w_m_n sp__k __t wh_n th_y s_ff_r d_scr_m_n_t__n." Sh_ _cc_s_d _mpl_y_rs _f _v__d_ng th_ _ss__s _nd _f "b_ry_ng th__r h__ds _n th_ s_nd".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

more than one in four british mothers who have returned to work feel discriminated against this is according to a survey conducted by the legal firm slater and gordon (s&g) researchers questioned 1975 women about their experiences in the workplace before and after giving birth most of the women had never filed any kind of complaint as they suspected it would be a waste of time and be even more detrimental to their career prospects grievances aired in the survey included mothers being overlooked for promotion and more junior employees progressing faster up the career ladder another common gripe was their points of view being considered less worthy than those of colleagues without children

the findings contrast with the opinions of managers and employers a director at britain's confederation of british industry (cbi) said "we don't recognise the picture painted here our experience is that…businesses are better than ever at managing maternity leave and reintegrating mothers on their return" the uk's employment minister jo swinson said "the government is committed to making sure that more businesses make the best use of women's talents throughout the organisation from boardroom to the shop floor" s&g lawyer kiran daurka said "it is shocking that so few women speak out when they suffer discrimination" she accused employers of avoiding the issues and of "burying their heads in the sand"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

MorethanoneinfourBritishmotherswhohavereturnedtoworkfeeldiscrimin
atedagainst.ThisisaccordingtoasurveyconductedbythelegalfirmSlateran
dGordon(S&G).Researchersquestioned1,975womenabouttheirexperienc
esintheworkplacebeforeandaftergivingbirth.Mostofthewomenhadneverfi
ledanykindofcomplaintastheysuspecteditwouldbeawasteoftimeandbeev
enmoredetrimentaltotheircareerprospects.Grievancesairedinthesurveyi
ncludedmothersbeingoverlookedforpromotion,andmorejunioremployees
progressingfasterupthecareerladder.Anothercommongripewastheirpoint
sofviewbeingconsideredlessworthythanthoseofcolleagueswithoutchildre
n.Thefindingscontrastwiththeopinionsofmanagersandemployers.Adirect
oratBritain'sConfederationofBritishIndustry(CBI)said:"Wedon'trecognis
ethepicturepaintedhere.Ourexperienceisthat…businessesarebetterthane
veratmanagingmaternityleaveandreintegratingmothersontheirreturn."T
heUK'semploymentministerJoSwinsonsaid:"Thegovernmentiscommitted
tomakingsurethatmorebusinessesmakethebestuseofwomen'stalentsthr
oughouttheorganisation,fromboardroomtotheshopfloor."S&GlawyerKira
nDaurkasaid:"Itisshockingthatsofewwomenspeakoutwhentheysufferdisc
rimination."Sheaccusedemployersofavoidingtheissuesandof"buryingthei
rheadsinthesand".

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Discrimination in the workplace is harmful to productivity, profits and company image. It must be eliminated.   Discuss.

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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 discrimination. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. DISCRIMINATION: Make a poster about discrimination. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. WORKPLACE: Write a magazine article about workplace discrimination for mothers. Include imaginary interviews with a mother who is being discriminated against, and her boss.

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 a discrimination lawyer. Ask him/her three questions about workplace discrimination. Give him/her three ideas on how to reduce it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

conducted

a.

carried out

2.

suspected

b.

thought

3.

grievances

c.

complaints

4.

points of view

d.

opinions

5.

colleagues

e.

coworkers

6.

contrast

f.

differ from

7.

recognise

g.

acknowledge

8.

committed

h.

dedicated

9.

throughout

i.

all over

10.

avoiding

j.

dodging

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

One in four

2.

1,975

3.

A complaint (against discrimination)

4.

Junior employees

5.

Their opinions

6.

Employers and managers

7.

Companies managing maternity leave

8.

Women's talents

9.

Shocked

10.

Burying them in the sand

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

d

7.

c

8.

b

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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