Buổi 8: Writing Task 1 – Bảng nhiều nhóm × nhiều năm (A) & thư đề nghị làm việc linh hoạt (GT)

The table compares the average length of the working week in five sectors in Country W in 2005, 2015 and 2025.

Overall, working hours fell in four of the five sectors over the twenty-year period, with information technology recording the largest decline. Healthcare was the only exception, its working week becoming steadily longer until it was the longest of all in 2025.

In 2005, manufacturing employees worked the longest hours, at 48 per week, followed by IT workers at 47. Over the next two decades, hours in both manufacturing and retail declined gradually, falling to 44 and 41 respectively. The fall was even more marked in IT, with the average dropping from 47 hours to just 40, the lowest figure in the table.

The remaining two sectors followed different patterns. In finance, hours rose slightly to 47 in 2015 before falling to 43 in 2025. Healthcare, by contrast, saw a consistent increase, rising from 45 hours in 2005 to 49 hours in 2025, which was nine hours more than in IT.

Dear Mr Hai,

I am writing to formally request a change to my working pattern from the beginning of next quarter.

Specifically, I would like to work compressed hours, completing my usual forty hours over four days, from Monday to Thursday, rather than five. I have recently become responsible for taking my father to regular medical appointments, which are only available on Friday mornings, and this arrangement would allow me to do so without taking unpaid leave.

I appreciate that this may raise concerns about cover for client enquiries on Fridays. To address this, I have spoken to my colleague Ms Thu, who is willing to handle urgent requests on my behalf, and I would do the same for her on another day if needed. I would also make sure that all weekly reports are submitted by Thursday evening.

I would be happy to agree to a three-month trial period, after which we could review whether the arrangement is working for the team.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to discussing it with you.

Yours sincerely, Ngo Thi Phuong

Hi Ms Lan,

Thank you for thinking of me for the new supplier project – I'd really like to be involved. However, with the year-end audit and the Hanoi client launch both due this month, I'm worried I wouldn't be able to give it the attention it needs.

Would it work if I joined as a team member now and took the lead from January, once the audit is finished?

Best regards, Khanh