GRE General TestAnalytical WritingMedium
A company is considering implementing a new 'flexible work hour' policy, allowing employees to choose their start and end times within a set window. Proponents argue this will improve employee morale and productivity. Opponents express concern that it will lead to communication breakdowns and difficulty coordinating team projects due to varied schedules. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the opponents' concern about communication breakdowns and coordination difficulties?
- ASome employees have expressed a preference for fixed work hours to maintain routine.
- BA recent survey indicates that most employees value work-life balance highly.
- CStudies show that employees with flexible schedules report higher job satisfaction.
- DThe company already uses a robust project management software that tracks tasks and deadlines for all team members.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The company already uses a robust project management software that tracks tasks and deadlines for all team members.
The opponents' concern is about communication and coordination. If a robust project management system is already in place, it directly mitigates the potential for these issues, thus weakening the concern.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This indicates some employees might not like the policy, but doesn't address the specific concern about communication and coordination breakdowns.
- B. This supports the proponents' argument for improved morale, not weakening the opponents' concern about communication.
- C. This supports the proponents' argument for higher job satisfaction, not weakening the opponents' concern about communication.
Mitigating a Concern
To mitigate a concern is to present information that reduces the likelihood or severity of the negative outcome predicted by that concern.
- Identify the specific negative outcome predicted by the concern.
- Look for existing conditions or new information that would prevent or lessen that outcome.
- Focus on direct relevance to the predicted problem.
Memory trick: Building bridges over troubled waters of worry.