Read about some radical work ideas and answer the discussion questions in partners or small groups. It will take about one hour to discuss all of the questions and topics. This conversation lesson is for advanced English students.

1. Standing Desks

Apple is one of the many companies that are providing standing desks to their employees as a way to encourage employees to be healthier and more active.

1. Have you ever seen a standing desk?
2. What do you think about Apple providing standing desks to their employees?
3. Would you want to use a standing desk? Why or why not?

2. Higher Minimum Wage

The minimum wage is the minimum salary or hourly pay allowed by the government. The minimum hourly wage in some US states is $7.25 according to the federal law and for some jobs it is less. For example, the minimum hourly wage for tip-earning jobs, such as waiters, is $2.13 per hour. (as of 2024)

1. What’s the minimum wage in your country?
2. Do you think the minimum wage in your country is high enough? Why or why not?
3. Would you be in support of a minimum wage raise in your country? Why or why not?

3. 6-Hour Work Days

Some people believe our work days should be shortened to 6 hours. These people believe that workers will be more productive, well-rested, happier, healthier and harder working if they have more time to recharge. A study in Gothenburg, Sweden on nurses using a 6-hour workday showed that quality of patient-care rose significantly as did employee happiness.

1. Do you agree with a 6-hour workday? Why or why not?
2. Do you think your country/company would ever implement a 6-hour workday? Why or why not?

4. No Bathroom Breaks

Some companies have been criticized for demanding too much of their employee’s time, even encouraging them not to take bathroom breaks. Amazon has been criticized for using cameras and tracking apps to watch their employees to ensure they are not taking too many breaks, forcing some employees to go to extremes such as urinating in bottles.

1. Is it a company’s responsibility to make sure employees can take bathroom breaks? Why or why not?
2. Is there a bathroom break policy at your work? If there is, what is it?
3. Some people say bathroom breaks are a basic human right. Are there other basic human rights that should be considered at work? What are they?

5. Open-Door Policy

An open-door policy means that a boss’s door is literally or figuratively always open and if employees have a question or problem, they can talk to the boss. Critics of this policy say that it interrupts the boss’s work too often. Supporters say it creates a positive work environment. Still others say that there are better options to open communication between boss and employee.

1. Does your company have an open-door policy?
2. Do you like the idea of an open-door policy? Why or why not?
3. What are some other ways to make sure employees and bosses have good communication?

6. Sleep Pods

Some companies, such as Google, are introducing sleep pods to encourage their employees to nap at work. This is supposed to help employee wellness and increase work performance.

1. Can you nap at work? Why or why not?
2. Do you think napping at work can help employees? Why or why not?
3. Would you like your company to provide sleep pods for you? Why or why not?

7. Open-Space Offices

Open-space offices are ones in which employees all work in one open space instead of in separate offices or cubicles. The point of these open spaces is to encourage collaboration, but many people say that they don’t work and if someone doesn’t want to collaborate, they won’t, regardless of the office.

1. Do you have an open office or traditional office? What’s your opinion of it?
2. Would you prefer an open office? Why or why not?
3. Do you think there is good collaboration in your office? Why or why not?

8. No After-Hour Emails

France has made it illegal for your boss or coworkers to text, email or contact you after hours. The law was passed because many French people felt very overworked and constantly tied to their cell phones, even on the weekend. However, some people say that the law is impractical and that it’s going to hurt businesses.

1. Do you agree or disagree with France’s new law? Why or why not?
2. How often do you answer work emails/texts/calls outside of work hours?
3. If you could adopt France’s law, would you? Why? 

9. Casual Friday

Hawaii was one of the first places in the world to start casual Friday, a day when employees don’t have to wear “formal” work clothes. The state wanted to give people an opportunity to wear Hawaiian shirts at work. Eventually Hawaii allowed its employees to completely forget the suit and tie during the summer months and wear more casual clothing when it was hot.

1. Are there benefits to casual Friday? Why or why not?
2. What do you think about companies that allow casual clothes all day everyday?
3. What’s the dress code at your work and how do you feel about it?

10. Child Care

Some companies, such as Patagonia, provide child care at work. The childcare at Patagonia is not free, but it’s subsidized. The aim is to help working mothers continue to work and have a safe, cheap place where their children can stay nearby. 

1. Do you know of any companies that provide child care where you live?
2. What are some benefits of child care at work? Are there any downsides?
3. How would you feel if your company started providing child care? Why?

If your students enjoyed having a discussion about radical work ideas, then maybe they’d also like this fun advanced English lesson on the 3rd conditional!