Tips: In discussion questions, focus on the main topic introduced at the start.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Whether to merge the timesheets of two departments.: A one-department pilot is suggested, not merging two departments' timesheets.
• Whether to reduce working hours for field crews.: The speakers never talk about reducing work hours. They only talk about how timesheets are recorded.
• Whether to hire additional payroll staff for the public works office.: Payroll efficiency is a reason for digital recording; recruitment of payroll staff is not proposed.

Correct Answer: It would save time, reduce paper use, and align with the city's sustainability goals.

Why this is correct: The supporter talks about benefits, not worries. The person on the left lists payroll time savings, lower paper use and alignment with the city's sustainability goals.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Paper timesheets have led to employee lawsuits in other municipalities.: Employee lawsuits are not cited.
• Digital systems are required by federal employment law.: Federal law is not cited as requiring the system.
• The provincial government is offering grants for digital transitions.: Provincial transition grants are not cited.

Correct Answer: Some public works crew members are not comfortable with apps and computers.

Why this is correct: The person on the right worries about training because many public-works crew members are not comfortable with apps and computers.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• The digital system will track employee locations.: Location tracking is not the concern stated.
• Digital timesheets will cost more than the current paper system.: Higher system price is not the person on the right's main concern.
• Management will use the data to reduce staff numbers.: Data-based staff reductions are not the concern stated.

Correct Answer: It would not be a sudden change and could involve a gradual approach.

Why this is correct: The person in the centre does not want a sudden change. The person in the centre says the switch can be gradual rather than happening overnight.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• It would only apply to office workers, not field crews.: Office-only coverage is not specified.
• It would require approval from the provincial labour board.: Labour-board approval is not required in the person in the centre's statement.
• It would be mandatory for all employees starting immediately.: Immediate mandatory use contradicts the gradual approach.

Correct Answer: Clear training sessions are provided and paper is kept as a backup at first.

Why this is correct: The person on the right requires clear training and paper backup while people learn, with support rather than pressure to be perfect immediately.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Only volunteers are asked to use the digital system.: Volunteer-only use is not the person on the right's condition.
• A union representative is present during the entire pilot period.: A union representative throughout the pilot is not required.
• The city purchases tablets for every employee in the department.: No one talks about buying new equipment.

Correct Answer: Other departments in Metro Vancouver that switched and had fewer payroll errors.

Why this is correct: The reported precedent is that other departments across Metro Vancouver have already switched to digital timesheets and experienced fewer payroll errors.

Tips: Listen for the evidence cited and the opinion it supports.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Feedback from Maple Ridge residents collected through a public survey.: A public survey of Maple Ridge residents is not cited.
• A study published by a Canadian university on digital workplace tools.: No Canadian university study is cited.
• A report from the federal government on reducing administrative costs.: A federal administrative-cost report is not cited.

Correct Answer: The parks maintenance department.

Why this is correct: The person on the left suggests the smaller parks maintenance group as a manageable starting point.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• The human resources department.: Human resources is not the group named.
• The water services department.: Water services is not named.
• The finance department.: Finance is not named.

Correct Answer: Look into the idea and circle back next week.

Why this is correct: The person on the right proposes investigation and another discussion next week; no management report or guideline check is assigned.

Tips: The last lines often show the next step.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Contact other municipalities to compare their digital systems.: Municipal comparisons are not the closing assignment.
• Begin installing the digital timesheet software across all departments.: They are not switching all departments yet.
• Schedule training sessions for all public works employees.: Training sessions for everyone are not scheduled.