Dive Brief:

• New analysis from the research firm Stay Metrics found that a negative work culture is one of the biggest factors in early turnover among new trucks drivers, as reported by Fleet Owner.
• The firm analyzed 24,000 drivers from 80 carriers which use its loyalty and engagement programs. Out of 100 drivers, 33 can be expected to leave within 90 days and an additional 22 will leave before 180 days.
• While pay can be a factor later in a driver's tenure, home time and work relationships were found to play the largest role in new employees leaving. The turnover rate was found to drop significantly after the first year of employment.

Dive Insight:

Driving trucks, particularly long-haul vehicles, is a tough job that not everyone is cut out to do. Many new drivers were found to have different expectations of what the job would be like and were quickly overwhelmed or discouraged. The researchers said this points to a need for more communication and engagement after the initial orientation phase.

"This is one of the most difficult and demanding jobs you can sign up for. When we see carriers that have high degree of respect and empathy for drivers, they become the best to drive for," said Tim Hindes, CEO of Stay Metrics, as reported by Fleet Owner.

An analysis of 45,000 messages in one company found that when dispatchers are rude or swear this can easily distract or affect new drivers. Though as drivers become more experienced their relationships with dispatchers may become less significant than with supervisors or other co-workers.

The national driver shortage shows no sign of letting up and recent research shows that younger applicants are often looking for different things in a job than their predecessors. In addition to these factors the waste industry is also competing with other fields that may seem more attractive. For the new applicants that do start on a collection route, it's more important than ever to find a way to provide positive feedback while making sure they understand that driving a truck will never be an easy job.