Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 570
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 570 – PASSAGE – 2

IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 570
READING PASSAGE – 2
EMPLOYEE DISCHARGE PROCEDURE
In every organization, dismissing an employee can be a challenging but necessary process. Employee discharge occurs when an employer terminates a worker’s contract due to reasons such as misconduct, poor performance, or company downsizing. However, discharges must comply with both legal and ethical standards to avoid potential lawsuits or damage to the organization’s reputation.
Before initiating the discharge, employers typically conduct a thorough review of the employee’s performance records, attendance history, and any incidents of misconduct. For legal protection, documentation is essential—verbal warnings, written notices, and performance evaluations provide evidence supporting the employer’s decision. Moreover, employers often implement a progressive disciplinary approach, offering employees chances to improve before a final decision is made.
IELTS General Reading Test
If discharge becomes inevitable, a formal meeting is scheduled. This is usually attended by a human resources representative and the employee’s direct supervisor. The employee is informed of the decision and given reasons backed by documented evidence. In most cases, the employee is asked to return company property and is offered details regarding severance pay and benefits.
Respect and confidentiality are paramount during the discharge process. It is essential that the process is handled discreetly to preserve the dignity of the employee and minimize disruption within the team. Many firms also offer exit interviews to gather feedback and ensure any final concerns are addressed professionally.
Employers must also stay updated on employment laws, such as wrongful dismissal clauses and anti-discrimination policies, to ensure compliance. Disregard for these regulations can lead to legal action and negative public perception.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 15–20
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write:
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
15. Employee discharge is always due to misconduct.
16. Employers must document employee behavior before firing them.
17. A legal representative must always be present during a discharge meeting.
18. Discharged employees may be entitled to severance benefits.
19. Employers usually ignore employee feedback after termination.
20. Ignoring employment laws can cause serious problems for employers.
IELTS General Reading Test
Read the text below and answer Questions 21–27.
WYDELL INC. – 2020 BEST PRACTICES SHEET
Wydell Inc., a multinational consulting firm, released its 2020 internal document outlining its best practices for employee engagement and productivity. The aim was to help departments standardize key operations, ensuring efficiency and a strong workplace culture across all offices globally.
The sheet emphasizes the importance of structured onboarding. Every new hire must receive a detailed orientation within the first week, with access to a digital manual, mentorship pairings, and check-ins after 30, 60, and 90 days.
IELTS General Reading Test
Wydell also encourages flexible work arrangements, such as hybrid schedules and remote work, which have been shown to improve employee morale and reduce turnover. Managers are advised to schedule weekly team huddles and monthly one-on-one sessions with each team member to maintain communication and monitor workload.
A significant section is devoted to mental wellness. Employees are granted access to a 24/7 mental health hotline, free online therapy sessions, and monthly stress-management webinars. Additionally, all staff are encouraged to take quarterly “recharge days” without affecting vacation quotas.
IELTS General Reading Test
On the performance side, the company promotes goal alignment and transparency. All teams use shared dashboards where KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are visible to everyone. This fosters accountability and encourages inter-departmental collaboration.
Finally, Wydell recommends quarterly feedback loops where employees can submit anonymous surveys regarding management, operations, and job satisfaction. Results are reviewed at the executive level and used to guide future decisions.
These best practices are not mandatory policies but serve as a framework to promote consistency and improve employee experience throughout the organization.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 21–27
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.
21. During onboarding, new employees are matched with __________ to help guide them.
22. Wydell believes remote work helps increase morale and lower __________.
23. Employees can access therapy and webinars focusing on __________.
24. The “recharge days” are not subtracted from an employee’s __________.
25. Teams at Wydell use shared __________ to track key metrics.
26. Anonymous feedback from staff is collected using __________.
27. The practices outlined by Wydell are meant to serve as a __________ for the whole company.
IELTS General Reading Test

IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
15. FALSE
16. TRUE
17. FALSE
18. TRUE
19. FALSE
20. TRUE
21. MENTORSHIP PAIRINGS
22. TURNOVER
23. STRESS-MANAGEMENT
24. VACATION QUOTAS
25. DASHBOARDS
26. SURVEYS
27. FRAMEWORK
IELTS General Reading Test