82. The following appeared as part of a memorandum from the vice president of Nostrum, a large pharmaceutical corporation.
The proposal to increase the health and retirement benefits that our employees receive should not be implemented at this time. An increase in these benefits is not only financially unjustified, since our last years profits were lower than those of the preceding year, but also unnecessary, since our chief competitor, Panacea, offers its employees lower health and retirement benefits than we currently offer. We can assume that our employees are reasonably satisfied with the health and retirement benefits that they now have since a recent survey indicated that two-thirds of the respondents viewed them favorably.
Discuss how well reasoned... etc.
The vice president of Nostrum argues that implementing an increase in health and retirement benefits for employees is not a good idea at this time. His main line of reasoning is that an increase in benefits is both financially unjustified and unnecessary―financially unjustified because last years profits were lower than the preceding years, and unnecessary because Nostrums chief competitor offers lower benefits to its employees and because a recent Nostrum employee survey indicates that two-thirds of the respondents viewed the current benefits package favorably. While the argument has some merit, it is not completely convincing.
Admittedly the vice presidents reasoning linking employee benefits with company profits seems reasonable on its face. Companies that are not profitable are ill-advised to take on additional costs such as increased employee benefits. However, the fact that Nostrums profits last year were lower than the preceding year does not imply that Nostrum is experiencing financial difficulties that preclude it from increasing employee benefits at this time. Perhaps the previous years profits were extremely large; whereas last years profits, albeit lower, were sufficient to fund an increase in the benefits package without threatening the companys bottom line.
Also, the fact that Nostrums chief competitor provides lower benefits to its employees is not a good reason for Nostrum to deny an increase to its employees. Employee loyalty is an important asset to any company, and providing good pay and good benefits are among the best ways to acquire it. Nostrum would be well advised to assure that its employees have little reason to seek employment elsewhere, and especially from its chief competitor.
Finally, one can infer from the surveys results that a full one-third of the respondents may have viewed the current benefits package unfavorably. If so, such widespread satisfaction would weaken the vice presidents argument. Lacking more specific information about how these other employees responded, it is impossible to assess the reliability of the surveys results or to make an informed recommendation.
In conclusion the vice presidents argument against implementing a benefits increase is unconvincing. To strengthen the argument, he must provide evidence that the increase in benefits would have a negative impact on the companys overall profitability. Additionally, he must provide more information about the manner in which the survey was conducted before we can determine the degree of employee satisfaction of the current benefits
雅思阅读:必备14个王牌法则
雅思阅读:考试考的是哪几块
攻心为上、战略为辅、逐个击
雅思阅读:考试:“笔”是最得力的工具
雅思阅读:4个误解
雅思阅读:判断类题型解题技巧
雅思考试:从阅读下手
雅思阅读:关注新话题的必要性
雅思阅读:审题与关键词
雅思阅读:判断类题型解题技巧(下)
雅思阅读:题型归纳Summary (Part 1)
雅思阅读:判断类题型技巧
雅思阅读:定位词
雅思阅读:题型归纳Summary (Part 4)
雅思阅读:达人谈“悦读”
雅思阅读:考试考的是哪几块?
雅思阅读:把握重点信息的技巧
雅思阅读:考试现场的应试策略
雅思阅读:3-6月综合技能指导
雅思阅读:考试过程中需要特别留意的地方
雅思阅读:巩固单词语法
雅思考试:“回炉烤鸭”二次从阅读下手
雅思阅读:6-7分答题策略及操作流程演示
雅思阅读:综合技能指导(Part II)
雅思阅读:如何准备考试之话题篇
雅思阅读:Summary (Part 2)
做好英语考试英译汉题目
雅思阅读:出题门道
进入英语王国的最佳途径是阅读
雅思阅读:题型解析
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |