PROBLEMS
According to a report published by the Nellie Mae Education
Foundation in April 2002, 362,000 Rhode Islanders lack the literacy skills they
need to succeed as workers, parents and citizens. One adult in five cannot fill
out a job application, understand safety instructions or read a warning label.
Unfortunately, the problem is not always an obvious one. Many people have
learned to deal with their illiteracy by developing remarkable coping skills
that allow their problem to go unnoticed. They include:
- Observing other employees
- Asking for help
- Utilizing trial and error
- Quietly not complying
Their attempts to mask their illiteracy will ultimately
compromise the safety of themselves and fellow workers, and can result in
devastating financial losses to employers. According to the U.S. Commerce
Department, an estimated $140 - $300 billion in annual productivity losses can
be traced directly to adult-work illiteracy.
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SOLUTIONS
Fortunately, there are several ways you can help your
employees help themselves. In Rhode Island, organizations such as Literacy
Volunteers of America - RI (LVA-RI) and The RI Workforce Literacy Collaborative
are working to offer instruction and guidance to individual employees and
businesses. Beacon Mutual has made a commitment to
promote literacy education by helping policyholders to find appropriate
educational services for their employees. If you feel your company or employee
would benefit from literacy training, please call Joann Securo of Beacon Mutual
at 401-825-2742 for information in the following areas:
- Workplace literacy needs assessment
- Universal safety signs and symbols
- Peer (employee-to-employee) literacy tutoring
- Referral to organizations that conduct classes and/or offer confidential
private literacy tutoring
- Translating services to provide assistance in claims handling
- Safety material and training in other languages
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