The typical British employees can expect to spend about £34,000 during their whole working life on the daily costs of being in the office, including tea runs and leaving gifts for colleagues, according to research.
A survey of 2,000 office workers across the UK found that the combined cost of Christmas parties and dinners, cards and presents, coffees and teas, sponsorship (赞助) requests, Secret Santa and etc. totaled about £850 a year. Over the course of a 40-year career, that would amount to about £34,000, according to Nationwide Current Account, which carried out the survey.
Men generally tend to be unhappier than women about spending money at work, but women are more likely to feel pressured into paying out for work-related items. 42% of men were unhappy about spending money at work Christmas parties, compared with 34% of women. But one in five women said they felt under pressure to spend money at work Christmas parties, compared with just 12% of men,
Overall more than a quarter of people surveyed said they felt pressured when it came to contributing towards birthday and leaving gifts, with 27% of people saying this about gifts for colleagues who were leaving.
Nearly 32% said they felt pressured into contributing money to help their colleagues, charity fund raising efforts.
Alan Oliver, Nationwide’s head of external affairs, said, “Working in an office can be an expensive business, especially in big teams. Too many birthdays, retirements and charity fundraisers can take their toil on our wallets and purses. We would recommend putting in only what you can afford. Developing a regular savings habit can also help in meeting many of future life’s financial challenges.”
8. If a British man works for 30 years, the daily office costs are totally about ________.
A.£25,500 | B.£34,000 |
C.£20,000 | D.£40,000 |
9. Compared with men, women’s reaction to spending money at work Christmas parties is ________.
A.more satisfied | B.unhappier |
C.more stressed | D.less concerned |
10. What does Alan Oliver advise office workers to do?
A.Work in big teams. |
B.Save money for future use. |
C.Get along well with colleagues. |
D.Raise enough money to do charily. |
11. What can be the best title for the text?
A.The Management of Personal Finance |
B.Relations Among the UK Office Workers |
C.Levels of Happiness of the UK Office Workers |
D.The Daily Cost of the UK Employees in an Office |