More Details on this Commitment

You have two options to complete this commitment:

Option 1 (self-directed, no cost): Complete the AWES “Plain Language in the Workplace” interactive online workshop. Estimated workshop commitment: 2 hours

Option 2 (paid service): AWES will review a workplace document of your choice and provide a plain language report outlining actions you can take to incorporate plain language principles. 

Note for returning signatories: Past revisions to employee handbooks will not count towards this year’s commitment. To complete this commitment, you must complete either the self-directed or the fee-for-service options and either further revise your employee handbook or revise another workplace document.

Why This Commitment?

According to Statistics Canada, 48% of adults lack the literacy level required for 94% of jobs created (1).  Communicating in plain language helps your team members thrive and meet their potential in the workplace and the community, while also ensuring essential information such as health and safety requirements are understood by all.  

Plain language writing and document design in the workplace helps all employees understand what they need to know about your organization. Learning how to incorporate plain language strategies for communication and workplace documents is a great way to support your employees toward a more productive, healthy and safe workplace environment.  

(1) Source: Skills in Canada: First Results from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Data for 1994-2016.

Why AWES?

As a non-profit organization with expertise in essential skills and workplace training, AWES is the perfect organization to help your team develop skills and knowledge related to plain language. AWES has developed this online workshop to provide you with tools and strategies to support your employees in the workplace using plain language techniques.

Evaluation Plan

In January 2025, we’ll ask AWES for a list of organizations that have:

1.      Option 1 (Self-Directed): One or more representatives completed the AWES Plain Language in the Workplace online workshop (evidence: Certificate of Completion).

OR

2.      Option 2 (paid service): Hired AWES to review a workplace document.

Get Started

To register for the Plain Language in the Workplace online workshop or to schedule a consultation with AWES for a plain language review of a workplace document email Leila Samahnejad, Project Coordinator at leila@awes.ca

AWES will help you choose a high impact document with the level of review that fits with your budget.

Resources

• A Clear Message: Plain Language Writing and Design (Webinar [1:11:50] Source: Literacy in Kamloops)

• Plain Language Checklist: 27 Tips For For Clearer Documents (Bow Valley Immigration Partnership)

• A Plain Language Handbook: Write for your reader (PDF) (Northwest Territories Literacy Council​)

• A Plain Language Audit Tool (PDF) (Northwest Territories Literacy Council​)

• Putting Plain Language Into Practice (PDF)​ (Northwest Territories Literacy Council​)

• Fact Sheet – Clear Writing (Government of Ontario​)

• Centre for Plain Language​ (USA-Based Resource)

• How to Use the Microsoft Readability Tool (For more help using this feature, contact AWES)

Supporting Organization: AWES

For support with this commitment, please contact:

Leila Samahnejad, Project Coordinator
AWES
leila@awes.ca