Expenses Policy & Join A Workplace Walking Group - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations

Read the text below and answer Questions 14-20.

Expenses Policy

All candidates invited for interview at Masons Finance are invited to claim back expenses for costs that are, by the HM Revenue and Customs definition, WHOLLY, NECESSARILY AND EXCLUSIVELY incurred during the process of attending the interview.

In general, for candidates travelling from within the UK, expenses covered include those for travel such as mileage or train tickets. Expenses are paid on the basis of the cost of second-class rail travel or 25p per mile for car travel. Mileage will be paid up to but not more than the equivalent cost of second-class rail travel. We request that when travelling by train an off-peak service is used whenever possible. Candidates can also claim taxi fares to and from Sharnfield Station to the company head office. In exceptional circumstances the company is prepared to reimburse candidates from the UK requiring hotel accommodation. However, this must be agreed with our HR department first.

For candidates travelling from overseas, subsistence and hotel costs can be reimbursed in addition to travel expenses. Candidates should contact our HR department regarding accommodation as we will pre-book and pay for a room at a local hotel. Please note that the company will not normally reimburse the costs of accommodation that has been booked independently by the candidate. As a general guide, candidates travelling from overseas can claim the cost of an economy airfare. Meals and refreshments consumed during travel can be claimed to a maximum of £20 per day. In exceptional cases we understand that further nights of accommodation might be required for candidates travelling from overseas. In such cases additional expenses may be claimed but only after written agreement has been received from our HR department.

Candidates must retain all receipts and submit these with the expense report we ask you to fill in when making a claim. Please note that the company will not reimburse any costs the candidate incurs in the form of tips paid nor will it pay for fines such as parking tickets or speeding tickets issued during travel.

If you have a question regarding an expense, please contact your interview contact or our HR team.

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The text below has seven paragraphs, A-G.

Join a Workplace Walking Group

A Several members of staff have been busy planning a series of lunchtime walks that we are sure you and your colleagues will soon become addicted to. Why join? The reasons are endless. You'll get the chance to chat with close friends and colleagues who participate as you would if you were stuck in your office. But what about all those other people you are on nodding terms with but have yet to get into conversation with? A lunchtime walk will be the perfect opportunity to get to know each other better.

B We rarely get the chance to experience work outside of our own department, which obviously isn't healthy for an organisation like ours. So apart form the pleasure you'll get from talking to new people, these lunchtime walks will also give you the chance to get an insight into how other teams and departments work and share experiences of how teams work together, including situations where problems sometimes arise. This may hopefully lead to better communication and more efficient internal systems.

C We also appreciate that many of you may want to completely switch off from work during your lunch break so we've tried to organise walks that will appeal to everyone. We are situated close to many historical landmarks and one of our walks takes in several of these sites. We've already had one or two employees with an interest in local history volunteer to act as guides, so now's your chance to discover more about where you work.

D For those who prefer a gentle stroll through the great outdoors we have countryside walks taking in some of the beautiful lanes and fields at the back of the building. You'll be amazed at how tranquil this area can be - experience some lovely views and the sound of birdsong to help you relax before returning to work fully revitalised after lunch. By the way, these walks take in a stop at the local café for those who'd like to end with a tea or coffee. And there's no need for walking boots as we'll follow landscaped routes.

E Of course an added benefit is the chance to get away from your desk, clear your head and keep fit. Walking, even at a gentle pace, is regarded as a great way to get into shape and help reduce stress. We also like to think it a pleasurable way to do this for those who don't like the idea of a gym or an aerobics session.

F We appreciate that people take their lunch breaks at different times and so have organised a staggered timetable so there will always be a spot at least once a week for everyone. However, please feel free to organise a walk independently if you'd like to make it a daily event.

G All departmental secretaries and managers have signed up already and will be more than pleased to give you any information you need. We also have a 'walking ambassador' in each department who will be able to answer any questions. See the departmental notice board to check for names or watch out for our next email on the subject. If you're convinced and are ready to sign up see if you can encourage some of your colleagues to join you. The more the merrier!