Fleet management is a demanding job. You have a ton of things to manage with so little time in hand. All of this can make you feel bogged down and stressed out.
Add to it the high attrition rate among drivers, and you have yourself a recipe for disaster.
This is a problem commonly faced by fleet managers, and something that has far-reaching consequences. The impact that this can have on your business in the long-term can be tremendous. Here is how a high driver attrition rate can negatively impact your business:
- Hunting for new drivers is a time consuming, and expensive task which is sure to zap you of your resources
- It takes both time, and effort to build a good rapport with newer drivers
- Training new drivers with the best business practices and aligning them with the mission, and vision of your organization can cost you time and money
- It could potentially affect the hard-earned reputation of your company in the market thus, making it harder for you to do business
- It is tough to nurture a workforce that upholds your organization’s safety and reliability standards consistently
With that being said, you need not fret! We are here to assist you.
Here is a list of ways in which you can ensure that the attrition rate of your drivers remains low:
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Publicly acknowledge success
It is important that no employee feels like they are not being adequately appreciated. Many a driver quit because they feel like their hard-work goes unrecognized and they are not motivated enough as a result of this.
Tips:
- Appreciate your drivers by name at engagement events
- Reward the drivers who go the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction even in difficult circumstances that may be outside their control
- Celebrate work anniversaries and reward long term association with the company
- Compliment your employees often and be specific
- Encourage thought leadership among your workforce via brainstorming sessions
Equip them with the latest technology
Technology goes a long way in improving the work experience of drivers. The latest technology can be of immense help to your drivers in a myriad of ways. Scour the market for the best technology that will help your drivers in delivering the best service with substantially less effort.
Tips:
- Technologies such as GPS tracking for fleet vehicles help you monitor vehicle movement which you can use for better fleet management
- Invest in a technology consultant who will guide you on which technology to use for maximum business success
- Schedule timely vehicle inspections as that will ensure a smoother driving experience for your drivers
- Smart dash-cams can help you see things from your drivers’ perspective and help protect them from fraudulent accident claims
- Make use of the right fleet management software for optimal decision-making with the help of data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence
Seek regular feedback
Seeking active and regular feedback makes your employees feel heard and provides them with a platform to voice their concerns that would otherwise remain suppressed, leading to feelings of resentment.
The driver retention rate is sure to improve once your employees realize that their opinion is valued in the organization.
Tips:
- Consider running anonymous surveys from time-to-time
- Introduce the employees to a group chat where they are always connected no matter where they may be
- Encourage an open culture where everyone gets a listening ear regardless of their position in the organization
- Thank everyone who provides feedback and make sure you do it every time
- Assure your employees that their concerns will be looked into, and initiate action without any further delay
Start a mentorship program
You can consider starting a mentorship program that is tailored to the needs of each employee. You can easily reduce the early turnover rate by introducing mandatory mentorship programs for newer drivers.
Tips:
- Assign experienced drivers with the fresh ones in order to guide them on navigating the everyday challenges at work
- Encourage relationship building during these programs and initiate conversations that break the ice
- Ask your employees to speak on their strengths and weaknesses in order to customize the program even more
- Get hands-on by actively getting involved in mentorship
- Talk to your drivers face-to-face and make yourself available to answer their questions
Improve working conditions
While easier said than done, improving working conditions requires taking concrete steps that raise job satisfaction and overall happiness levels of your drivers.
Ensuring the health and safety of your employees should be a priority and is great for your business.
Tips:
- While managing long-haul drivers, structure their schedule with their families and personal time in mind
- Always maintain the highest safety standards possible along with training your employees on industry best practices
- Ensure that your drivers maintain a healthy work-life balance that is necessary to sustain their well-being and safety
- Telematics is a method used to monitor a vehicle which you can use to analyze vehicle performance, driver performance and a lot more, thus helping you make more informed decisions
- Keep your drivers’ mental health in mind and be ready to provide them with professional help if required.
Build healthy workplace relationships
An inspiring work culture that promotes positive thinking and constant improvement is sure to keep your drivers happy and engaged for a long time.
Building relationships at work is important to create feelings of togetherness, which results in a more satisfied workforce.
Tips:
- Celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries and so on which will create a fun-loving atmosphere at the workplace
- Organize regular meetings with the drivers where they can voice their concerns
- Share your expectations with them while listening attentively to any suggestions they may have to give
- Encourage collaboration and team-spirit by organizing bonding activities
- Share the company’s mission and vision with the drivers and show them how much they are valued
In conclusion
High attrition rate among drivers is a persistent problem in the industry. However, by taking informed steps, you can retain your drivers for much longer.
It isn’t as hard as it looks. By following the tips that we have shared and implementing small but important changes in your company, you can lower the attrition rate considerably.
So go forth, and make your business a roaring success!