Drivers praised employers in 2022. However, overall satisfaction declined due to pay concerns. Workhound measured that drivers’ praise for their carriers was the most common comment category in 2022, with positive support for fellow workers also being a common theme. ~100K comments from 32K truckers across 109 carriers were left on the platform. Jerome You, senior customer success manager at Workhound, noted that drivers are fair-minded and respectful people who want appreciation for their contributions.
Misunderstandings about Driver Compensation
For negative feedback, drivers’ top criticism of carriers was poor communication (No. 6 in 2020). Pay came in second, with the Oct. trends report indicating only 27% of pay comments was negative. Many words combined the two critiques: volatility & unclear pay structures. WorkhoundCommunication had the most negative sentiment (63%) due to freight volumes & drivers not earning a living. Max Farrell (Workhound CEO/co-founder) said there’s uncertainty due to “hoops” like detention, layover & breakdown pay needing explanation. Drivers cited feeling misled by recruiters, with high expectations of payment. You advised carriers to emphasize benefits in recruitment efforts.
Plus Benefits
Farrell said companies could supplement pay with benefits and “benefits plus” (e.g., home time, mental health, family planning) to recruit and retain drivers. 31% of comments related to home time were positive in 2022 due to appreciation for employers offering wellness programs, flexible scheduling, home time guarantees, etc. He also mentioned exploring guaranteed minimum pay, which could be a recruitment tool.
Retention Depends on Response Time
Farrell told FleetOwner that the report underscores the importance of communication as a retention tool; listening to individual concerns, rather than relying solely on annual surveys and exit interviews, allows companies to quickly address issues and prevent drivers from leaving. Even a speedy response is better than nothing. Carriers that responded to drivers more often saw increased driver satisfaction scores. To deter drivers from questioning their carrier’s recruiting efforts, carriers should explain they are only replacing lost drivers and not expanding the workforce. Additionally, carriers should ensure dispatch stays in contact with drivers. Farrell highlighted positive trends in the report, such as praise and positive comments for people and slight supply improvements since the prior year, as cause for optimism: “This was a good reminder to recognize the positive and that while there’s much to improve, drivers will recognize when things are going well.”
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