New Wristband Tracks Employees’ Emotional State

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Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. lanyard / ˈlæn yərd / (n) – a cord or strap worn around the neck to hold something such as an ID card
    Example:

    The referee’s whistle is attached to a lanyard.


  2. correspond / ˌkɔr əˈspɒnd / (v) – to be equal or similar to something
    Example:

    Each color on the map corresponds to a train line.


  3. sturdy / ˈstɜr di / (adj) – strong and not likely to break or be damaged
    Example:

    I’ve been taking pictures with this sturdy camera for almost ten years.


  4. efficiently / ɪˈfɪʃ ənt li / (adv) – in a way that produces the desired outcome without wasting time, energy, or other resources
    Example:

    He works on several projects at the same time, so he needs to work efficiently to complete all his tasks.


  5. cope / koʊp / (v) – to deal with a problem and try to come up with solutions
    Example:

    It’s difficult to cope with stress if you don’t take breaks.


Article

Read the text below.

UK-based firm Moodbeam has developed a wristband that can track employees’ well-being.


Moodbeam One is a wearable device designed for companies who want to track their staff’s emotional state. The device can be worn on the wrist or clipped onto lanyards and has two buttons. The yellow button corresponds to feeling happy, and the blue one corresponds to feeling sad.


Moodbeam One comes with an app where users can see their emotions throughout the day, take notes, log sleep and other activities, set reminders to check moods, and share their profile with other people. Employers or managers can also check how their employees are feeling through an online dashboard.


The wristband is made of silicone, which makes it sturdy and water-resistant. Moodbeam One can be worn even while taking a bath or walking outdoors.


Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization reported that the global economy lost around $1 trillion every year because of mental health problems in the workplace. Experts believe that the pandemic and transition to a work-from-home setup may have worsened this figure.


According to a UK mental health charity, 60% of adults said their mental health became worse during the first lockdown.


Co-founder Christina Colmer said that Moodbeam One could help companies stay connected with their work-from-home employees more efficiently and give the mental health support necessary to help them cope with emotional issues.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think developers should add more moods and emotions to the wristband (e.g. angry, scared)? Why or why not?
• Do you think using Moodbeam One is a good way for companies to know about their employees’ well-being? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Do you think employees’ emotional well-being has a huge impact on their work performance? Why or why not?
• Do you think companies should be concerned about their employees’ emotional well-being? Why or why not?