1. What do people do on New Year's Eve in your country and/or capital city?
2. Are there any security arrangements for the celebrations? Are there a lot of police officers present?
3. Are there sometimes problems or accidents or do the celebrations generally take place without incident?
Read the article here: New Year's Eve Rome Reading
4. What is your reaction?
5. Why were there so few police officers on duty in Rome on New Year's Eve? Do you think it was dangerous to have so few officers? Do you think it would have been better if the full police force had been on duty that night?
6. Do you think the police officers calling in sick were setting a bad example to other citizens?
7. Do you think the absent police officers should have been punished?
8. What do you think the authorities could do to stop this happening again?
9. Do police officers in your country ever not turn up for work? What about metro train drivers - are there always enough? Is this an Italian problem?
10. When was the last time you called in sick for work? Is it OK to call in sick from time to time when you're not sick?
11. Does your country have enough days off in a year? Tell me about bank holidays, paternity/maternity leave, days off/mornings off/afternoons off, how to make a long weekend etc.
..........
Situation
It is now February. You are the head of Rome's police, Cdr. Raffaele Clemente. You understand the frustrations of your police officers and have decided to give them more time off during the year. You've called a press conference to announce the changes. Answer any questions from the waiting journalists.
...........
Here are some employees' excuses for not going to work:
Employee's sobriety tool wouldn't allow the car to start.
Employee forgot he had been hired for the job.
Employee said her dog was having a nervous breakdown.
Employee's dead grandmother was being exhumed for a police investigation.
Employee's toe was stuck in a faucet.
Employee said a bird bit her.
Employee was upset after watching "The Hunger Games".
Have you heard any unusual reasons for calling in sick?
Student Handout PDF: New Year's Eve Rome
Photo: Guardian
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