Text с

At a Company Meeting (The Lockshell Company LTD)

Chairman': Ladies and gentlemen, we are all here, aren't we? Then let's start, shall we? I declare the meeting of the ad hoc committee of our company open.' Now, the only item on today's agenda is the introduction of a flex­itime system at the head office of our company. It arises out of the last meeting when il was agreed to draw up and discuss proposals on the issue. Are there any additions or amendments to the proposed agenda?

Member of the Committee (MoC): 1 move we adopt the agenda as it stands.¹

Chairman: Any objections'.'

Voices: None.

Chairman: The agenda stands.⁴ The report on the issue will be made by Mr. Panin, head of the Staff Department. Ladies and gentlemen, you will find a copy of the report in the folders in front of you. 1 hope that we can reach some decision today before we call up the general meeting of the staff. Shall we adopt any regulations as to the procedure?

Mr. Green (MoC): I move we set the time limit for the report at 20 minutes and allow each speaker 5 minutes for discussion.

Chairman: Are there any other motions? No, then I put the matter to the vote. All those in favour of the motion on the procedure regulations, please raise your hands, (The chairman counts the show of hands. The majority of the members voted for the motion. Two members abstained.) The motion is carried.⁵ Mr. Panin has the floor. *

(Addressing the secretary: Will you take the minutes, please?) (After Panin finished his report he answered a number of questions. Some of the questions were submitted in writing. Then the meeting passed on to the discussion of the report^)

Chairman: Well, who'd like to start? 1 can see that you disagree, Mr. Green.

Mr. Green (MoC): I can't say I disagree entirely. But in my opinion the report is superficial, it doesn't contain specific proposals on how we should change our work.

Mr. White (MoC): Might I just make one point? True, the report leaves much to be desired. But the idea of flexitime is wonderful. I've made quite ex­tensive enquiries as a member of the committee. Everyone seems to sup­port the idea, particularly women and young employees.

Mr. Brown (MoC): May I... ? The staff are very enthusiastic, indeed, except managers. I 'd like to clear up some points on their behalf. What advantag­es will the company have? How will the work be organised in the future?

Mr. Smith (MoC): It's obvious that care and caution are needed in this situation, I suggest the meeting be adjourned' because it hasn't been prepared properly.

Mr. Right (MoC): I propose that we should continue the discussion. Not to waste time, we must work out proposals for the staff meeting right now. (A number of voices called oui seconding the motions, others — objecting to them. This caused so much noise that the chairman was forced to call the meeting to order".)

Chairman: Order! Order! We can't all speak at once! May I have your attention, please? ... We seem to be divided. We still haven't come to any formal con­clusion. I think the best thing to do now would be to vote on the motions. All those in favour of continuing the meeting, please raise- your hands. (Only four hands were raised.) The motion is overruled." The meeting is adjourned. Mr. Panin, you look ready to say something, right?

Mr. Panin (MoC): Dear colleagues, I accept your critical remarks. The report is not complete and doesn't contain specific proposals. It needs improvement.

Chairman: As there are no further questions on the agenda, I declare the meet­ing closed. The committee will resume its work next week. That's all for today. Thank you.