If You Can't Read This Well, How Safe Can You Be?
Workplace illiteracy refers to not being able to function optimally on the job - different from not being able to read or write at all. And with the rise of immigrant workers - many of them whose native tongue is not English and who struggle with literacy challenges - this issue is more important than ever as a factor in workplace safety.
The United States Education Department's National Center for Education conducted an Adult Literacy Survey in 1992 that showed that 20% of adults had a 5th grade or lower ability in reading and writing. As hard as it may be to believe, 15 years ago the U.S. government believed that a fifth-grade education was sufficient for most unskilled labour!
However, today's computerized society demands that the minimum level of education is a high school diploma. And studies, such as a 2005 survey by the AFL-CIO union, indicate that immigrant workers continue to be at great risk because of their literacy limitations.
Stigma of illiteracy stings
The social stigma of illiteracy is still a driving factor in keeping many people from getting help. Hiding the problem is only going to get someone hurt, probably yourself.
There is no easy answer to this problem, you are going to have to acknowledge the situation and spend many hours practicing reading and writing to improve your skills. This is difficult to do when you're working full-time and likely taking care of a family, too.
But the benefits of improved literacy are enormous - for your self-esteem and employment opportunities as well as keeping yourself alive and safe at work. And that's not even including the added benefit of you being safer and more at ease on the road, in your home, reading menus at restaurants, etc.
Your safety, and your co-workers, depends on you being able to completely understand all the instructions around you, such as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), signs about dangers, instructions on the computer screen, and hazard warning labels on chemicals and other dangerous products.
Solutions for workplace illiteracy
Mentoring programs at work are helpful in many situations, and as a solution to literacy challenges is one of the best examples. A mentor could save you months of work, as they will see first hand what your reading level is currently at, and tailor their guidance for you accordingly. If you are fortunate, your employer may assist financially, all or in part, for the cost of a professional tutor, if needed.
Other learning opportunities:
- Most cities and towns offer free adult literacy training programs where you work one-on-one with a volunteer adult.
- Check with your local school board to see if they offer night classes in neighborhood schools.
- "Distance learning" may suit your life if you cannot get out at nights: you can have books mailed to you and you submit your work via the mail system.
- Colleges typically have night classes in almost every subject.
- Many social groups offer skills and English upgrading programs to help their members.
- The Internet is a cornucopia of reading resources and "how-to" programs.
- Your local library will have books on every subject including learning English.
- Ask your most trusted friends and family members for help; they know you well and what you are capable of and won't spill your "secret" if you don't want them to.
- Your children, or grandchildren could help without even knowing it, as they are also learning words and sentence structure in school.
