What is it that keeps a company’s drivers loyal? Drivers may stay for a variety of reasons, but we’ve limited the list down to five:
#1 A salary to be able to live on
One of the most important considerations in attracting and maintaining top-tier employees is providing them with competitive salaries. Additionally, drivers need to know that they can earn a more competitive compensation in the long run. At least don’t sugarcoat the earnings, be upfront and honest with expectations regarding company culture, traffic, working hours, and benefits.
#2 Acknowledgement towards the drivers
When asked why they think fleets have a hard time with driver retention, two third said lacking respect is a critical factor. Truck drivers want to feel like they’re part of the team. Fleet managers and business owners must go out of their way to publicly appreciate the achievements of their drivers. The first question is to ask employees what they want. An employer who tries to find solutions and adapts to his/hers drivers needs will be way more appreciated. Respect and greater motivation are two outcomes of a positive work environment. The productivity of the firm’s drivers will increase and they will be more likely to stay with the company if the company creates a peaceful environment that fosters empathy.
#3 Benefit for the drivers
Driving is a job that requires a lot of physical exertion. It’s possible that benefits or allowances offered by the firm could be a deciding factor for a driver to stay. As a fleet manager, funds should be available for drivers who will be away from home for multiple weeks at a time, such as money for their children’s school or insurances, because this is a dangerous yet underappreciated vocation. More and more fleets are offering programs to help drivers become healthier, such as on-site gyms, exercise equipment in the truck, healthy eating and weight-loss programs, health screenings and the like. While there are many reasons for this, some fleets believe this evidence of caring about the driver helps boost retention.
#4 Communication is – as always – key.
Once recruited and on the road the driver is a self-propelling item? Well nice thought, but it is not going to work out. The ability to communicate effectively with the firm is essential. One of the key reasons drivers choose to stay with their company is an effective channel of communication with coworkers and the employer. If fleet managers want to keep their drivers, they need to talk to them about their expectations of pay, time off, and other perks, then they need to develop a strategy for achieving those goals. This can be done weekly to see if expectations are being met and how this can help the driver reach his or her goals.
#5 Foster driver health
In order to help drivers become healthier, more and more fleets are implementing programs such as on-site gyms, exercise equipment in the truck, better eating and weight-loss programs, healthcare exams, and other similar initiatives. While there are a variety of reasons for this, some companies believe that showing that they care about their drivers helps to increase driver loyalty.
There is no other option:
Trucking’s future is dependent on the happiness of its drivers. The freight business will have to meet ever-increasing demands.
Moreover, while the market is considering ways to scale up, including driverless technology, these ideas are not immediately realistic. The trucking sector must address the issue of driver shortage if it is to meet market needs today and in the future. It won’t be enough to carry on as usual.
If you need an instant optimization, you could start with improving the entertainment for your drivers. We collected useful tips in the article.
