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Old Computers Make for Unhappy Workers－Survey
LONDON (Reuters)－Dealing with the dissatisfaction of ageing and unreliable office computers leads to
workers' unhappiness and more sick-leave, a survey (调查) showed on Wednesday.
A survey carried out by care4free. net of over 2,700 European office workers from the UK, France and
Germany found that workplace dissatisfaction increased greatly with the age of computer equipment.
"We do know that job satisfaction is falling in Britain and in most advanced nations," said Stephen White,
a researcher from the Work Foundation. "The actual reasons for this are the subject of very heated discussion.
It's certainly one interesting theory that technology may be the cause of this in some way," White added.
A quarter of those using outdated computers in Britain said they were "quite" or "very dissatisfied" with
their everyday job compared to 16 percent of those who had enjoyed an advantage from up-to-date technology.
The survey also said that among workers dealing with outdated equipment, there was a 35 percent greater
probability they would take six or more days of sick-leave per year compared with the average worker. In
France, where more workers use older computers, the probability jumped to 55 percent.
Results also showed that women in the three countries were more likely to be using outdated equipment.
In the UK, where more workers have up-to-date computers than in the other countries surveyed, the number
of women using old equipment doubled that of men.
White pointed out that there were two sides to this problem, saying that continually having to deal with
new technology and new equipment can also be a source of worry. "Old and faulty equipment is a major cause
of office dissatisfaction, there's no question about it. But you also have to say that the frequent change of
equipment is also, or could be, a main cause of dissatisfaction."
1. The underlined word "this" (paragraph 3) refers to ______.
A. workplace dissatisfaction
B. computer use in most jobs
C. the ageing of office computers
D. the survey by care4free.net
2. How many office workers using old computers in Britain expressed their dissatisfaction?
A. 16%
B. 25%
C. 35%
D. 55%
3. According to White, why were the women surveyed more likely to use old computers?
A. Most office workers use old computers.
B. They do some of their work with computers.
C. Dealing with new equipment can cause anxiety.
D. They are easier to be satisfied with new technology.
4. What is the subject of this news story?
A. Poor working conditions in offices.
B. Research work of the Work Foundation.
C. Influence of technology in the workplace.
D. different attitudes to old computers.
