The sentence "This reality is putting stress on employees who have to pay for transport, desk lunches, more childcare, clothing and that after-work socialisation – costs they haven’t incurred for nearly two years." should be added to the paragraph. Let's determine the most suitable placement by considering the context and flow:
1. The paragraph begins by stating that prices are increasing and return-to-office expenses are rising.
2. It notes that wages are not keeping pace with inflation, despite some salary increases.
3. Next, it highlights the impact on workers who saved money during remote work when these expenses were absent.
4. Finally, it includes a London lecturer's personal account of rising costs.
The sentence regarding employee stress is most appropriate at Option 3, placed after the mention of wage inflation and before the discussion of savings accumulated by remote workers. It explains precisely why these escalating costs are problematic, creating a smooth transition to the idea of savings during remote work.
When the sentence is inserted at Option 3, the paragraph reads:
Prices are rising at their fastest rate in 40 years, consequently, return-to-office-related costs have shot up – think petrol and food, for instance. Yet wages haven’t kept up with inflation – even despite the salary growth many workers have enjoyed during a favourable pandemic labour market. This reality is putting stress on employees who have to pay for transport, desk lunches, more childcare, clothing and that after-work socialisation – costs they haven’t incurred for nearly two years. This is especially jarring for workers who were able to save during remote work, when these expenditures weren’t a factor. In April 2022, Umus, a London university lecturer, told BBC Worklife that they were spending nearly a quarter of what they made every day on return-to-work costs.