13. Supply the correct form of the verbs given in brackets and perform the role play given below. Fathers ‘Scared’ to Ask for Flexible Hours

Britain’s fathers are to blame for (1) _______________ (to fail) to ask for more flexible working practices and (2) _______________ (to adhere) to long-hours culture, the Confederation of British Industry said yesterday as a report claimed the country’s work culture stops men (3) _______________ (to spend) more time (4) _______________ (to care) for their children.

The charity Fathers Direct insisted fathers were too scared to ask for (5) _______________ (to increase) flexibility in a culture in which fathers work the longest hours in Europe, with one in eight (6) _______________ (to spend) 60 hours a week in the office. “Young fathers need to feel very secure in their careers, and they believe that (7) _______________ (to ask) for flexibility (8) _______________ (to see) as lack of commitment – which makes them more vulnerable,” said a spokesman, Jack O’Sullivan.

The research, which incorporates an analysis of a government survey of 7,500 employees, confirms that traditional gender roles still exist, with 86% of fathers (9) _______________ (to work) full-time, and two fifth of fathers still (10) _______________ (to work) more than 48 hours a week – the maximum (11) _______________ (to specify) under the EU working time directives.

With the increase in mothers (12) _______________ (to return) to work, fathers are increasingly involved in the provision of childcare – but such daily provision decreases for fathers who work 60-plus hours a week, a quota (13) _______________ (to work) by fewer than 2% of mothers. Such fathers then make up for the time away from their families at the weekend.

The research comes just before the introduction in April of statutory paternity leave, and a ‘workplace standard’ which will enable parents of children under six to ask for flexible (14) _______________ (to work) practices, though there will be no compulsion for the employer to grant them.

(From ‘The Guardian’, abridged)

Role play. You are taking part in the discussion of the problem at the Confederation of British Industry work regulation committee. Remember that you are meeting at an official level. You are discussing the problem in view of possible amendments in the existing laws.

Role 1. You are John Leroy, head of the committee. Introduce the problem to be discussed and ask the participants to speak.

Role 2. You are Michael Douglas, a representative of ‘British Petroleum’. Your main idea is that a business company is not a charity organization. (Have / work / done. With young fathers ..., the company ... . Enough time doing ... etc.)

Role 3. You are Jack O’Sullivan, a spokesman for the charity Fathers Direct. Explain the problem of young fathers to the committee. (Having worked ... fathers can’t ... . With women working ... . Being vulnerable, men ... etc.)

Role 4. You are Mary Woodworth, a psychologist. Explain what impact the existing situation has on the family and labour productivity. (Have ... done ... . With mothers and father working, the children ... . Having spent ..., the workers will be able to ... etc.)