Benefits For Staff Of Hamberton Hospital & Performance-related Pay - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 12 General Training Reading Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-21. ====
Benefits for staff of Hamberton Hospital
Our attractive benefits package is one of the ways we acknowledge the contribution they all make in the provision of high quality patient care. Our package is extensive and varied.
As a Hamberton employee you’ll enjoy both National Health Service (NHS) and locally developed schemes, providing you with a range of benefits. These include:
Financial Benefits
• opportunity to contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme – highly regarded by the independent pensions and insurance sector
• Injury Benefits Scheme
• excellent occupational sick pay and maternity leave and pay entitlements
• loans to assist with the purchase of housing for employees in the health service
Work-Life Balance
Here at Hamberton we are committed to helping all employees balance their work and home life commitments. We believe by helping people make this balance we are able to recruit, retain and motivate the most valuable asset of the NHS – our employees. We are committed to making this balance work for all employees equally, not just parents.
Over 50% of our staff work part-time in a range of flexible working options, which include:
• job sharing
• term-time-only working
• part-time working
• individually-tailored working patterns
We also support employees further through our caring and special leave arrangements.
Health
• our own occupational health department, providing a totally confidential service open to all staff during normal working hours
• a round-the-clock free and confidential counselling service
• policies supporting phased returns to work after long illnesses or injuries
Other Benefits
On-site facilities include:
• excellent food provided in our restaurant
• ample parking
• retail outlets
NHS Discounts
All NHS employees can access the NHS Discounts scheme. This allows members of staff free access to a number of discounted products and services. For example, discounts are available at many high street shops and elsewhere, including savings on toys, utility bills, days out, and much more.
Red Guava
This is a further discount benefit, which is available to employees of Hamberton. Red Guava provides discounts on holidays, for example, and can save you money in many other ways too.
==== Read the text on below page and answer Questions 22-27. ====
Performance-related pay
There are a number of reasons why your employer might introduce this type of pay scheme. They may:
• be keen to retain current staff
• want to compete for new talent
• be seeking a fairer way of distributing wages.
In order for performance-related schemes to work they should be based on clear, measurable targets agreed by both employer and employee. You will normally find out about these targets from your contract of employment and the performance appraisal meetings you have with your manager.
Short-term schemes
Short-term schemes usually offer bonus payments, or, depending on the type of work, commission on sales achieved. Payments vary and these schemes are normally used just to encourage staff to improve their own performance.
Long-term schemes
Long-term schemes offer rewards like share options, and can help to encourage loyalty to the organisation and its aims. Such schemes tend to be used as a way of retaining senior staff.
What to do if you have problems
If you don’t receive bonus or commission payments which you believe you are owed, check your contract of employment or staff handbook to see how your bonus is paid.
Ask your employer if you need more information.
If you think a mistake has been made, you should:
• speak to your employer to see if there has been a misunderstanding
• ask your employer to set out in writing how they have calculated your pay
• keep copies of any letters and notes of any meetings.
There are three ways that the law might cover a case of unpaid bonuses:
• breach of contract
• unlawful deductions from wages
• unlawful discrimination.
Deductions from wages / breach of contract
Any right to a bonus will normally be included in your contract of employment. It may not always be written down. It can be verbally agreed or understood to be there due to normal practice in your particular area of business.
Failure to pay a bonus or commission that you are entitled to could amount to an unlawful deduction of wages.
Discrimination
Your employer must not discriminate against particular groups of people – for example, by giving smaller bonuses to women. Ideally your employer should have some guidelines setting out the normal range of bonuses to give, and these must be followed without discriminating against any specific group.
Questions
Questions 15–21 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
- The hospital provides benefits to show its recognition of the 15 of staff to its work.
- Financial benefits include pay for staff who are 16 or on maternity leave.
- 17 are available for staff who wish to buy a home.
- Helping staff with their work-life balance is not restricted to 18
- The hospital has 19 that are designed to help staff return to work after a long absence.
- The facilities on hospital premises include a large area for 20
- The cost of 21 is reduced by using the Red Guava scheme.
Questions 22–27 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
Performance-related pay
One of the reasons for introducing performance-related pay is in order to 22 existing employees
Employer and employee should agree on some 23 that can be measured
Short-term schemes: bonus or the payment of a 24 related to sales
Long-term reward schemes: generally offered to employees at a 25 level
Details of bonus payments: may be included in a contract or a handbook for staff
If you think there has been a mistake with your pay:
- discuss the issue with your employer
- keep records of any relevant 26
It is illegal for employers to discriminate against any specific group, e.g. by giving less money to 27
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Contribution | Our attractive benefits package is one of the ways we acknowledge the contribution they all make in the provision of high quality patient care | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that the hospital's benefits program is a way to show that they appreciate the work that staff do to provide good care for patients. Answer Explanation: The answer means the hard work and input that staff give to help the hospital do its job well. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'contribution' because the passage talks about how the hospital shows it values what the staff do for patient care. The word 'contribution' fits this idea of recognizing and appreciating the staff's efforts. |
| Q16 | Sick | excellent occupational sick pay and maternity leave and pay entitlements | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that there is very good pay for employees when they are sick or when they have a baby. This helps them feel supported during these times. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'sick' which means when someone is not healthy or is ill. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'sick' because the passage mentions that financial benefits include 'excellent occupational sick pay and maternity leave and pay entitlements.' This means that when staff members are sick, they get paid help. |
| Q17 | Loans | loans to assist with the purchase of housing for employees in the health service | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the hospital gives loans to help employees buy homes. This means they lend money to staff for buying a house. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Loans'. This means that the hospital gives money to help staff buy a house. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Loans' because the passage talks about financial benefits, which include loans to help employees in the health service buy houses. This shows how the hospital supports its staff financially. |
| Q18 | Parents | We are committed to making this balance work for all employees equally, not just parents | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the hospital helps all workers find a good balance between work and life, and this help is not only for people who have children. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Parents', which means people who have children. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Parents' because the passage mentions that the hospital helps employees balance their work and home life and states that this support is not just for parents, but for all employees. This shows that the hospital recognizes the importance of work-life balance for everyone, including those who are parents. |
| Q19 | Policies / Schemes | policies supporting phased returns to work after long illnesses or injuries | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says there are rules that help staff come back to work after being sick or injured. There are also plans to give money to help employees buy homes. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Policies' and 'Schemes'. These words mean the rules and organized plans that help the hospital workers in many ways. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Policies' for the fifth blank because the passage talks about 'policies supporting phased returns to work after long illnesses or injuries', which shows that these rules help staff come back to work smoothly. 'Schemes' is the right answer for the third blank because the passage mentions 'loan schemes to assist with the purchase of housing for employees in the health service', which refers to the organized plans to help staff buy homes. |
| Q20 | Parking | ample parking | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that there are many things available at the hospital, including good food, enough parking space, and shops. 'Ample parking' means there is a lot of space for cars. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Parking', which means a place where you can leave your car. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Parking' because the passage mentions that one of the on-site facilities at Hamberton Hospital includes 'ample parking'. This means they provide enough space for employees and visitors to park their cars. |
| Q21 | Holidays | Red Guava provides discounts on holidays, for example, and can save you money in many other ways too | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that Red Guava helps employees save money on holidays, meaning they can pay less when they go on vacation. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Holidays'. This means times when people take a break from work to relax. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Holidays' because the passage mentions that the Red Guava scheme gives discounts on holidays. This helps employees save money when they want to take a break. |
| Q22 | Retain | be keen to retain current staff | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that employers might want to keep their current workers. They want to make sure these workers stay in their jobs. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'retain'. This means to keep or hold on to something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'retain' because one reason for introducing performance-related pay is to keep current employees. This is about making sure good workers do not leave the company but stay with it instead. |
| Q23 | Targets | In order for performance-related schemes to work they should be based on clear, measurable targets agreed by both employer and employee | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that to make performance-related pay work well, both the employer and the worker need to agree on clear goals. These goals help measure how well a worker is doing. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Targets'. This means specific goals or things that need to be achieved. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Targets' because the text mentions that employer and employee should agree on clear and measurable targets for performance-related pay schemes. This means that these goals should be set and understood by both sides. |
| Q24 | Commission | Short-term schemes usually offer bonus payments, or, depending on the type of work, commission on sales achieved | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that short-term schemes give extra money (bonus) or commission, which is extra money based on how much you sell. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Commission'. This means a payment that is given based on sales made. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Commission' because the passage says that short-term performance-related schemes usually offer bonus payments or commission, which is money based on sales achieved. This fits with the question about payments related to sales. |
| Q25 | Senior | Long-term schemes offer rewards like share options, and can help to encourage loyalty to the organisation and its aims. Such schemes tend to be used as a way of retaining senior staff | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about long-term reward schemes which give benefits like share options to encourage workers to stay with the organization. These benefits are mainly for 'senior staff', meaning those with higher jobs. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'senior'. It means people who have higher positions or more experience in a job. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'senior' because the passage mentions that long-term reward schemes are usually offered to employees at a senior level. This means that these rewards target those who hold higher positions in the organization. |
| Q26 | Meetings / letters | keep copies of any letters and notes of any meetings | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you think there is a problem with your pay, you should talk to your boss to understand the situation better and also keep a record of any important papers and discussions you have. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Meetings' and 'letters'. This means that you should talk with your boss about any problems with your pay and also keep notes or copies of important papers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Meetings' and 'letters' because the passage explains that if you have problems with your pay, you should first discuss the issue with your employer and also keep records of any letters or notes about the situation. |
| Q27 | Women | your employer must not discriminate against particular groups of people – for example, by giving smaller bonuses to women | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that employers should not treat specific groups unfairly, like giving women smaller bonuses. This means it is not acceptable to pay different amounts to people based on their gender. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'women'. This means that it is illegal for employers to treat women unfairly when paying bonuses. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'women' because the passage explains that employers must not discriminate against any group of people, including women, by paying them smaller bonuses. This shows that discrimination based on gender is not allowed. |