For carriers, keeping good drivers can be a challenge. Whether there’s a driver shortage or an abundance of them, trucking companies want to keep drivers who are dependable and are going to stick around. Carriers need to look for new ways to not only find reliable drivers but also to keep them happy. Hint: it’s not just about the money.
The trucking industry has been on a rollercoaster ride with a trucker shortage, massive layoffs, and a pandemic, and that’s just in the last year. The coronavirus has left carriers and drivers alike closing up shop with their return uncertain. Drivers who deliver food and essential freight are working overtime while others can’t find any loads. When the dust has settled on this economic shutdown, drivers everywhere may be scrambling for work, giving carriers a good crop to choose from.
The Money
For most people, money is the most important part of their job. After all, people need to support themselves. Offer good pay, benefits, and bonuses.
Give Them Time At Home
If possible, give drivers a schedule that allows time at home. This is particularly important when recruiting new, young drivers as hours away from home are the main reason that they turn elsewhere for employment. Life on the road doesn’t appeal to everyone and for people with young children, long hauls are a deal-breaker. One of the most underutilized groups of drivers are women and looking at ways that drivers can have shorter hauls may open up interest from younger or female drivers. Many companies are now offering shorter routes and flexible schedules so employees can have more balance between work and home.
Show Them Respect
People want to feel respected. If you treat drivers with respect and let them know that they are valued members of the company, they’ll take pride in the work they do for you. Your place of business should be professional and welcoming to both men and women.
Create a Safety-Conscious Environment
Understand the safety concerns of all employees because their safety on the road isn’t just about avoiding accidents. For women, long hauls are particularly dangerous but there has been much concern with trucks being robbed on the road during the coronavirus shutdown. It’s important that safety procedures are in place to protect drivers on the road. Offer seminars and training on how to stay safe out on the road by carrying pepper spray, parking in well-lit areas and other safety strategies that they may not be aware of.
Create a Team Atmosphere
Creating a team atmosphere makes drivers feel like they’re part of something and may make them want to stay with your company.
High turnover costs carriers money but if it is viewed as a puzzle with many pieces, they can improve driver retention, save money and have happy drivers.
At Direct Freight Services, we help shippers find carriers to bring loads to their destinations. From short routes to cross-country, Direct Freight gives shippers the tools they need to find reliable truckers to carry the load. For drivers and carriers, Direct Freight’s database of currently available loads will keep your trucks rolling. Go to Direct Freight today to find out more about how this vital tool can help you.