A vast majority of truck drivers (83.8%) believe the fleets they work for values driver safety “above all else” and almost an identical amount enjoy working for their companies and felt supported during the pandemic, according to a survey conducted through the Truckload Carriers Association’s Best Fleets to Drive For program.
However, many drivers also felt they should be paid for all the hours they work and want more consistent pay. Also, many drivers want more more input when implementing new technologies or spec’ing new trucks. reports Trucknews.com,
In total, 207 fleets nominated for the program – up from 150, reports Trucknews.com. A record 8,502 drives took part in the survey.
Mark Murrell and Jane Jazrawy, founders of the program, recently gave a two-part webinar in April to share emerging trends.
Only 48.7% of drivers said fleets solicit driver input when implementing new technologies or spec’ing new trucks. “This is the lowest score I’ve ever seen on the driver surveys,” Jazrawy said.
Only 52.9% indicated their fleet’s coaching or mentoring programs are effective at improving driver performance, just 56.4% felt they’re fairly compensated for all the additional work they do, 56.5% felt their employer offers clearly communicated career paths, and 57.1% said routes are fairly dispatched.
Murrell also said drivers can be frustrated when everyone gets the same rate per mile. “Two years of experience is not worth the same as 20 years of experience,” he said. “A lot of times in trucking, the driver gets paid the same regardless of their experience level.”
When it comes to advancing to roles outside the cab, just over half of respondents felt such opportunities existed and were clearly communicated.
Another emerging trend, according to Murrell, is that more fleets are focusing on supporting mental health. The overall winner in the large fleet category, OTA member, Challenger Motor Freight from Cambridge, Ont., has had a “big push on mental health for a while,” said Jazrawy.
“How are you finding out what your drivers need and making sure your programs are working for them?” said Murrell, noting 70% of Best Fleets finalists do at least one check-in a year.
Full story here.