A New Rule at Work
One sunny morning this week, a man named Alex got ready for his new job. He was very excited! He put on his nicest blue shirt and his comfortable shoes. He wanted to make a good first impression.
But when Alex got to his new office, his boss gave him some surprising news. The boss said, “We have a new rule here. We are not allowed to eat cake or have big parties when someone gets a new job.”
Alex was confused. He had just finished school for his job and was looking forward to celebrating with his new friends. He thought, “How will people get to know me? How will we celebrate happy things?”
This new rule is happening at a company, which is a place where many people work together. The bosses there decided that having welcome parties for new people was not a good use of time. They want everyone to focus on their work right away.
Some people who work there are sad about the rule. They think saying “hello” and “welcome” with a small treat is a kind and friendly thing to do. It helps new people feel happy and less nervous. It helps everyone feel like a team.
Other people think the new rule is okay. They believe starting work quickly is more important. They think friendships at work can grow slowly while people are doing their jobs.
This news makes us think about being kind and welcoming. In our classroom, when a new student joins us, what do we do? We smile, say our names, and show them where to sit. We might draw them a welcome picture. These small acts of kindness are important. They help someone feel like they belong.
At home, your family might celebrate when something good happens. Maybe you have a special dinner for good grades or a lost tooth. Celebrations, big or small, are a way to share joy.
The bosses at the company made their rule this week. They are trying to help people work better, but they might be forgetting how important it is to feel welcome. Sometimes, a small piece of cake and a “congratulations” can make a big difference in someone’s heart. It is a tradition, which is something people do again and again because it feels nice.
Whether at work, at school, or at home, thinking about how our actions make others feel is a very important lesson. Being friendly and welcoming is a simple practice that can make any place better.
Vocabulary Words
- Impression: How someone thinks or feels about you when they first meet you.
- Celebrate: To do something special for a happy event or success.
- Company: A place where people go to work together.
- Team: A group of people who work or play together.
- Tradition: A special way of doing something that people repeat over time.
Comprehension Questions
- Why was Alex excited in the morning?
A. He was going to a birthday party.
B. He was starting a new job.
C. He bought new shoes.
D. He did not have to go to school. - What was the new rule at Alex’s company?
A. Everyone must wear blue shirts.
B. No eating cake for new job celebrations.
C. No talking at work.
D. Everyone gets a big party. - How do some people feel about the new rule?
A. They are sad because they like being friendly.
B. They are angry and want to quit.
C. They do not care at all.
D. They want more cake. - What does the passage say we should do when a new student joins our class?
A. Ignore them so they can learn.
B. Smile and tell them our name.
C. Give them a piece of cake.
D. Ask them to start working right away. - What is a “tradition” according to the vocabulary list?
A. A new rule at a company.
B. A special way of doing something that people repeat.
C. The first day at a job.
D. A feeling of being nervous.
Answers
- B
- B
- A
- B
- B
