GRE General TestAnalytical WritingMedium
A company is considering implementing a mandatory 'digital detox' policy, requiring employees to disconnect from work emails and messages after 6 PM. Proponents argue this will reduce employee stress and burnout, leading to increased productivity and retention. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively challenge the assumption that disconnecting after 6 PM will reduce stress and burnout for all employees?
- AA similar policy implemented at a competitor company led to a reported decrease in overall employee morale.
- BThe company's industry often requires employees to respond to critical client requests at irregular hours.
- CEmployees who already manage their work-life balance effectively are generally more productive.
- DMany employees prefer to complete urgent tasks in the evening to free up time for personal appointments during the day.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Many employees prefer to complete urgent tasks in the evening to free up time for personal appointments during the day.
The policy assumes that disconnecting after 6 PM will universally reduce stress. However, if some employees find flexibility in evening work *reduces* their stress by allowing them to manage personal appointments, then a mandatory disconnection policy could actually increase their stress by removing that flexibility.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A decrease in morale is an outcome, but this doesn't explain *why* it happened or directly challenge the specific assumption about stress reduction from disconnecting.
- B. This points to a practical difficulty in implementation and potentially reduced effectiveness, but doesn't challenge the core assumption about stress reduction for those who *can* disconnect.
- C. This is a general observation about productivity and balance, not directly challenging the impact of the specific policy on stress.
Challenging an Assumption
To challenge an assumption is to show that an unstated premise, taken for granted in an argument, might not be true, thereby weakening the argument's foundation.
- Assumptions are unstated beliefs.
- Arguments rely on assumptions to be valid.
- Undermining an assumption weakens the conclusion.
Memory trick: Assumptions are the foundation, question if they're sound.