Mistakes are made if people can't read - what if goods are put on the lorry to Lincoln when they should have gone to Leicester, and if people can't write they won't answer the phone, forget to pass the message on, or have to find the intended recipient and tell them in person - and it's a long walk from one end of a warehouse to the other and back, which leads to more time lost.

What if someone is using chemicals and isn't able to correctly read the instructions on mixing / handling them?

Timesheets, expenses forms and other important office / administration paperwork aren't completed properly - so good literacy and numeracy skills mean a more productive workforce - and more money!