Dress Regulations At Work & How To Achieve A Better Work-Life Balance - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 14 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-20. ====
Dress regulations at work
Your contract may state that you need to dress in a certain manner or wear a uniform. Your contract might also state that you need to dress ‘smartly’, rather than specifying any particular garments. As you might well have conflicting ideas of what counts as smart’, you should ask your employer for clarification. Many employers that have a strict dress code choose to provide clothing or a discount on clothing. However, this is not necessarily compulsory for the employer and is a factor you need to consider when taking a job.
Protective clothing and equipment
Your employer can tell you to put on protective clothing and equipment (such as gloves, a visor, boots, etc.). If you don’t, your employer is entitled to take disciplinary action, which can include excluding you from the workplace.
You are required to:
• co-operate with your employer on health and safety
• correctly use work items provided by your employer, including protective equipment, in accordance with instructions
• not interfere with or misuse anything provided for your health and safety or welfare.
Of course, any protective gear has to fit and be appropriate for the situation. It shouldn’t cause you pain. If it does, you should negotiate alternative equipment or arrangements. Don’t be put off. Sometimes employers can, out of caution, interpret health and safety rules unnecessarily rigidly. And of course you shouldn’t be required to pay for any protective equipment or clothing that you need. However, if your employer buys the gear, they are entitled to keep it when you leave.
The obligation to maintain protective clothing lies with the employer. The employer is also required to provide an appropriate storage space to keep the protective equipment in when it is not being used. And finally, the employer must provide the equipment and service free of charge to the employee.
Jewellery
Banning employees from wearing jewellery and loose clothing may be justified to prevent a potential hygiene hazard if you work in areas of food production or areas which need to be kept sterile.
Likewise, your employer can judge that loose jewellery may constitute a snagging hazard if you operate machinery. If you think restrictions are not justified by health and safety concerns, talk to your workplace union rep if you have one, as they may know of solutions to the problem which other employees have used before.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27. ====
How to achieve a better work—life balance
As more and more employees work from home full time and everyone has 24/7 access to email, balancing work and family may not seem like an easily attainable goal. So how can you juggle the demands of both worlds? Below are some tips to help you get started.
It’s easy to get sucked into habits that, make us less efficient without realizing it — like keeping your social media page open at work so you don’t miss something ‘important’. Draw up a list with all the activities that don’t enhance your life or career. Then minimize the time you spend on them.
It’s hard to say no’, especially to a supervisor or loved one, but sometimes that powerful little word is essential. Learn to use ‘no’ judiciously and it will become a powerful tool in balancing work and family.
Research shows that exercise helps you remain alert. Finding time to hit the gym may be hard, but it will ultimately help you get more things done because exercise really boosts energy and improves your ability to concentrate.
Study after study shows that significant sleep deprivation affects your health and well-being. Exposure to electronics can significantly negatively impact your sleep, so try to unplug an hour before you go to sleep.
What would you do if you had a whole day to yourself with no demands on your time? While most people don’t have the luxury of a whole day dedicated to relaxation, constantly putting off that downtime and putting everyone’s needs before yours will wear you down. Pick a time to do something just for you. Even just a few minutes of ‘me time’ a day will help to recharge your batteries.
Don’t assume your family and manager are aware of your concerns. If you feel you have to adjust your schedule to discover a better work—life balance, then voice that requirement. If that means asking your boss for permission to leave a few minutes early once a week so you can hit that yoga class on the way home, do it.
All new habits require time to build, so if you find yourself sneaking your smartphone to bed, that’s okay. Leave your phone downstairs tomorrow night. Tiny steps are the key to finding that balance, so start small, and go from there. Most of all, know your limitations and what works best for you; then decide what really matters, what advice you want to follow, and prioritize.
Questions
Questions 15–20 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.
- If employees are unsure what their company wishes them to wear for work, they should request 15
- Some companies offer their employees a 16 when they buy items to wear for work.
- Employees who fail to wear protective clothing when required could be subject to 17 procedures.
- Employees ought not to be in 18 because of protective clothing or equipment.
- It is the company’s responsibility to ensure that there is a suitable place for the 19 of protective equipment.
- Employees who work with certain types of 20 may have to remove jewellery to avoid potential injuries.
Questions 21–27 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.
Achieving a better work-life balance
How to begin
- Make a complete 21 of things that are not helpful and reduce involvement in them
- Refuse some requests as this can be a useful 22 in gaining a better work-life balance
Things that cars help
- Regular exercise
o can increase 23 significantly
- Sleep
o insufficient sleep can make people ill
o avoid focusing on 24 in the lead-up to bedtime
Issues that require attention
- Those who see other people’s 25 as more important than their own will suffer
- If the working day is too long, get 26 to shorten it occasionally
- People should learn to recognise their own 27
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Clarification | As you might well have conflicting ideas of what counts as smart', you should ask your employer for clarification | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that if you have different ideas about what 'smart' clothes are, you should ask your employer to explain it better. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'clarification'. This means to ask for more details or help to understand something better. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'clarification' because the text says if employees are not sure what they should wear for work, they should ask their employer for more information. This is a way to understand the company's dress code properly. |
| Q16 | Discount | Many employers that have a strict dress code choose to provide clothing or a discount on clothing | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that some companies with strict rules about work clothes may give workers special prices or clothing to help them dress properly for work. Answer Explanation: The answer means a lower price that companies might give their workers when they buy clothes for work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'discount' because the passage talks about how many employers with strict dress codes may provide clothing or a discount. It shows that sometimes companies help employees pay less for work clothes. |
| Q17 | Disciplinary | If you don't, your employer is entitled to take disciplinary action, which can include excluding you from the workplace | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you don't wear the protective clothing, your boss can punish you. This punishment might be not letting you work there anymore. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'disciplinary'. This means that if employees do not follow the rules about wearing protective clothing, they can face punishments from their employer. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'disciplinary' because the passage clearly states that if employees don't wear protective clothing as required, their employer can take 'disciplinary action'. This means that there can be consequences for not following the safety rules. |
| Q18 | Pain | Of course, any protective gear has to fit and be appropriate for the situation. It shouldn't cause you pain | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that all protective clothing must be the right size and suitable for the work. It also says it should not hurt you. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'pain'. This means that employees should not feel hurt because of the protective clothing or equipment they have to wear. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'pain' because the passage says that protective gear should not cause you pain. If it does, employees should talk to their employer about different options. This is important for health and safety. |
| Q19 | Storage | the employer is also required to provide an appropriate storage space to keep the protective equipment in when it is not being used | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the employer must set up a good area to keep protective equipment safe when it is not being used. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'storage', which means a place where things are kept. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'storage' because the passage says that the employer must provide a suitable space to keep protective equipment when it is not being used. This means that 'storage' is the right word to describe that place. |
| Q20 | Machinery | your employer can judge that loose jewellery may constitute a snagging hazard if you operate machinery | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that your boss may think wearing loose jewellery is dangerous when you work with machines. This means that the jewellery can get caught in the machines and cause problems. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'machinery'. This means big machines or equipment that work people use. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'machinery' because the passage explains that if you work with machines, you may need to take off jewellery. This is to prevent getting caught or hurt by the machines. It's important to understand that working safely around machinery is a priority. |
| Q21 | List | Draw up a list with all the activities that don't enhance your life or career | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells you to make a list of activities that do not make your life better or help your career. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'list'. This means you should write down all the things that are not helpful. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'list' because the passage says you should create a list of activities that do not help your life or career. This helps you understand what to reduce or stop doing to balance work and family better. |
| Q22 | Tool | Learn to use 'no' judiciously and it will become a powerful tool in balancing work and family | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you learn to say 'no' carefully, it can help you a lot with balancing your job and home life. Saying 'no' is a good way to manage your time. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'tool'. A tool is something that helps you do something better. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'tool' because the passage explains that saying 'no' is important for balancing work and family. It calls 'no' a 'powerful tool' that can help you manage your time and responsibilities better. |
| Q23 | Energy | Research shows that exercise helps you remain alert. Finding time to hit the gym may be hard, but it will ultimately help you get more things done because exercise really boosts energy and improves your ability to concentrate. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that exercising can help you feel more awake and help you focus better. This is important for getting things done. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'energy'. This means that regular exercise can help you feel more awake and ready to do work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'energy' because the passage states that regular exercise can increase your energy significantly. This shows that exercising helps you feel more alert and productive. |
| Q24 | Electronics | Exposure to electronics can significantly negatively impact your sleep | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that using devices like phones or computers can make it hard to sleep well. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'electronics'. It means devices like phones, tablets, and computers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'electronics' because the passage says that using electronics before bedtime can hurt your sleep. It mentions that exposure to electronics can significantly negatively impact your sleep, so it is important to avoid them before sleeping. |
| Q25 | Needs | Most of all, know your limitations and what works best for you; then decide what really matters, what advice you want to follow, and prioritize | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you should understand what you can handle and what is important for you. Then, you can choose what is most important and what to focus on. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people should understand what they need for themselves. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'needs' because the passage talks about how important it is to recognize what works best for you and to understand your limitations. This helps you balance work and life well. |
| Q26 | Permission | If you feel you have to adjust your schedule to discover a better work—life balance, then voice that requirement | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you need to change your work schedule to feel better about your work and life, you should speak up and ask for what you need. Answer Explanation: The answer means that you can ask for special approval to leave work early to do something important for yourself. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'permission' because the passage talks about how you should voice your requirements if you feel you need to adjust your schedule. It mentions that asking your boss for permission to leave early for activities like yoga can help you achieve a better work-life balance. |
| Q27 | Limitations | Most of all, know your limitations and what works best for you | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should understand what you cannot do and what is good for you. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Limitations' means the things that you cannot do or that you should not push yourself to do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Limitations' because the passage mentions that it is important to understand 'your limitations and what works best for you.' This helps in deciding what really matters in achieving a better work-life balance. |