Shift work encompasses a wide range of industries, including law enforcement, hospitality, transportation, retail, and healthcare. The people working these jobs are security guards, hotel staff, air traffic controllers, cashiers, and nurses. According to a 2014 survey from the General Social Survey, a project of NORC at the University of Chicago, there are 25 million Americans who work full-time as a shift worker.
Industries that use shift workers face some unique managerial and HR challenges. Juggling many schedules, skill sets, and linguistic backgrounds can be difficult, particularly for companies that want to invest in their employees as a resource. Even so, these barriers should not stop companies using shift workers from keeping up with an economy trending towards multilingual teams and international business.
Effective communication is crucial, especially for shift workers who often operate in dynamic and multicultural settings. However, the unique challenges faced by these employees—such as irregular schedules, fatigue, and varying energy levels—can make traditional language learning programs difficult to implement and sustain. As a result, many shift workers miss out on the opportunity to enhance their language skills, which can be vital for career advancement and improved workplace interactions.
While it can be difficult for in-house language training in these industries, team leaders can easily and effectively invest in their shift workers via language learning programs administered through e-learning—and Babbel for Business provides the perfect solution to accomplish those goals.
Understanding the Needs of Shift Workers
To effectively incorporate language learning programs for shift workers, it is crucial to first understand their unique challenges and needs. Shift workers often face distinct circumstances that can impact their ability to engage in traditional language learning methods. Here are some key considerations:
Flexibility in Learning Schedules
Shift workers typically have irregular hours, which can make it difficult to participate in scheduled classes or group sessions. Language learning programs must offer flexibility to accommodate varying shifts, allowing workers to learn at their own pace and on their own time. This could include options for asynchronous learning, such as recorded lessons and self-paced online courses, enabling workers to access materials whenever it suits them.
Addressing Fatigue and Varying Energy Levels
The demanding nature of shift work can lead to physical and mental fatigue, which may hinder a worker’s ability to focus and absorb new information. Language learning programs should take this into account by providing shorter, more engaging sessions that can be easily integrated into breaks or quieter times during shifts. Incorporating bite-sized learning modules can help maintain engagement without overwhelming learners.
Cultural Considerations in Diverse Workplaces
Many shift workers are part of multicultural teams, where language barriers can impact collaboration and communication. Understanding the cultural backgrounds of employees can help tailor language programs to be more relevant and effective. Programs should not only focus on language skills but also incorporate cultural nuances and workplace-specific vocabulary that enhance the learning experience. This approach fosters a more inclusive atmosphere and encourages participation among employees from diverse backgrounds.
By recognizing these needs, employers can design language learning programs that are not only effective but also respectful of the realities faced by shift workers. This understanding is the foundation for creating a supportive and engaging learning environment that empowers employees to improve their language skills without adding undue stress to their already demanding schedules.
Why Language Learning Programs Are Essential for Shift Work
Language learning programs for companies have numerous applications for shift working teams. According to Pew Research Center, immigration is likely to drive the growth of the US labor force through 2035 more than any other factor. This means more of the labor force is likely to speak English for business as a second language, increasing the need for HR departments and managers to make multilingualism a part of their company culture to optimize teamwork and collaboration. After all, numerous studies have shown that successful multilingual teams are more innovative, more trusting of one another, and offer better customer service than their counterparts.
While it’s clear that language learning programs can encourage trust and communication among team members, it also has beneficial effects on a company’s bottom line. In industries using shift work specifically, employee turnover can be a big operational inconvenience and a major cost. According to 2017 data from the Work Institute, replacing an employee can cost as much as 33% of their yearly salary.
Though turnover happens for many reasons related to stress, compensation, and company leadership, it also has to do with a company’s willingness to invest in their employees—and language learning is an elegant solution to this issue. For ESL employees, flexible English-language learning aid can be a valuable motivator when it comes to employee retention; on the other hand, native English speakers can also benefit—after all, multilingual teams can earn five to 20% more in base pay than their competitors. Language learning programs have also been shown to increase employee morale and confidence, leading to better workplace outcomes and greater job satisfaction.
Babbel Provides Flexible Language Learning for Shift Workers
Though there are many language learning programs on the market, Babbel’s strength is its flexibility. Babbel for Business offers three product tiers for companies looking to implement a language learning program. The most all-encompassing are Babbel Intensive and Babbel Live, both of which include 30 and 60-minute video lessons with certified teachers and blended learning programs to help larger teams reach their language learning goals. For companies looking for maximum flexibility and for employees to set the pace of their own learning, Babbel Professional is a great option.
Like all the other products, Babbel Professional offers online language learning lessons with support for 14 languages, business learning paths, and onboarding materials to get things started. Most importantly, however, is that these classes have been proven effective in as short as 15 to 20 minutes a day—in other words, windows of time that can easily be accomplished on a commute or on a break without employees having to miss work.
Creating a Supportive Learning Environment
A supportive learning environment is essential for the success of language learning programs, especially for shift workers who may face unique challenges. By fostering an atmosphere that encourages participation and reduces barriers to learning, organizations can significantly enhance the effectiveness of their language initiatives. Here are several strategies to create such an environment:
Encouraging a Culture of Learning Among Peers
Promoting a culture of learning within the workplace can motivate shift workers to engage in language learning. This can be achieved through team-building activities that emphasize the importance of language skills and cultural exchange. Encouraging employees to share their language learning experiences and progress can create a sense of camaraderie and support. Additionally, recognizing and celebrating achievements, no matter how small, can boost morale and encourage others to participate.
Providing Access to Resources
To facilitate language learning, it is crucial to provide shift workers with access to a variety of resources. This can include language learning apps, online courses, books, and other educational materials that cater to different learning styles. Employers can also consider creating a resource library that employees can access during their breaks or downtime. By ensuring that resources are readily available, workers can take advantage of opportunities to learn at their convenience.
Setting Up Quiet Spaces for Study During Breaks
Creating designated quiet spaces for language study during breaks can significantly enhance the learning experience for shift workers. These spaces should be comfortable, well-lit, and free from distractions, allowing employees to focus on their language learning. Providing access to computers or tablets in these areas can further support self-directed learning. Additionally, promoting the use of these spaces through signage and reminders can encourage employees to utilize them effectively.
By implementing these strategies, organizations can cultivate a supportive learning environment that empowers shift workers to improve their language skills. This environment not only enhances individual learning but also contributes to a more cohesive and collaborative workplace culture, ultimately benefiting the organization as a whole.
A Proven Language Learning Solution for Shift Workers
Babbel for Business has already been successfully stress-tested in numerous work environments, including Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). ECCC is a branch of Canada’s government dealing with climate issues, and they must be able to communicate with Canadian citizens in both French and English. To that end, the company’s senior manager, Serge Desjardins, looked into language learning programs to improve staff proficiency in both languages.
It was clear in-house or fixed learning programs wouldn’t work because a majority of employees were shift workers; another option was an expensive three to six month language intensive, which would’ve been disruptive to the company. Instead, Desjardins chose Babbel for Business’s e-learning option, targeting 30 minutes of lessons a week—though he also gamified the process by having learners risk losing their language learning access if they didn’t hit that goal. The result of this flexible approach was huge gains in language skills, greater team bonding, and better communication with the organization’s customer base.
It’s clear that no industry will remain untouched by the globalization of business and the increasing demand for multilingual teams. Though adapting may seem like a challenge, Babbel for Business’s goal with online language learning is to make the process as simple and effective as possible—while leaving no workers behind.
