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6 Ways to Combat the Truck Driver Shortage

Tammy Cohen, PHR, SHRM-CP

June 15 2019

No matter how you slice it, one thing is certain: there is a truck driver shortage. Industry experts say the current truck driver shortage is the result of a perfect storm: the economy is doing well and that creates demand, but with unemployment so low, there aren’t enough drivers to be found. It was one of the top 10 toughest jobs to fill in 2018. Companies are doing everything they can to attract and retain new drivers. Here are some tips on how you can beat the truck driver shortage:

1 .Raise the salary

You won’t be surprised by our first tip: money attracts talent. In a truck driver shortage, wages rise. Many trucking companies hiked driver pay to as much as $80,000. Amazon implemented a 20% pay increase for its Prime program drivers. Look at what your competitors are offering drivers to determine how much you should budget for your new hires. Remember to take other factors into account, such as experience and certifications, while determining driver salary. While pay is only one part of driver recruitment and retention, research shows that higher salaries improves driver satisfaction.

2. Better the benefits

Salary isn’t everything. While higher pay is a perk for many, there are plenty of workers who would take a pay cut if it meant they’d receive better benefits. Evaluate your current offerings and see if there is any room in the budget for improvement. You could offer more paid time off, a retirement savings plan, or inquire about improving your current insurance packages. Many trucking companies are now offering flexible scheduling and working to ensure that drivers get more home time.

3. Reward loyalty & safety

Competition for drivers is fierce during a truck driver shortage. Some trucking businesses have begun to implement yearly bonus programs. Consider creating a bonus program that works for your organization. Reward drivers for maintaining a clean driving record or for their years of service to your company. Extra perks like these could give your business an edge over your competition while improving driver retention.

4. Improve driver health

Around 70% of truck drivers are obese, which puts them at higher risk for conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Bad health has forced older generations into switching careers and driving away notoriously health-conscious Millennials and Gen Zers. As a result, some companies are helping their drivers get healthy. Larger companies are equipping their drivers with digital health devices and nationwide gym memberships so they can stay active on the road. Others offer incentives to help their drivers quit smoking. A comprehensive health and wellness program could improve driver recruiting and retention efforts.

5. Driver referral program

One of the top ways to find candidates is through word of mouth. Offer incentives for employees who refer friends, family, or acquaintances for driver openings. It’s highly likely that at least a few of your employees know other people in the trucking industry; it’s also likely that one of those people they know might be looking for a new position. Referral programs are a simple, but effective, recruiting tool that takes advantage of your most valuable source of knowledge: your current employees.

6. Utilize the latest tech

Invest in technology that will improve your hiring process as well as your drivers’ day-to-day operations to combat the truck driver shortage. ASAP ID, for example, reduces time-to-hire by enabling the candidate to verify their identity right from their cellphone. Continuous monitoring keeps your drivers compliant by alerting you of expiring or invalid licenses. There are a variety of fleet-management tools from accredited, knowledgeable background screening providers that keep your company running smoothly.

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About Tammy Cohen

Tammy Cohen, an industry pioneer and expert in identity and employment screening, founded InfoMart 30 years ago. Deemed the “Queen of Screen,” she’s been a force behind industry-leading innovations. She was most recently the first-to-market with a fully compliant sanctions search, as well as a suite of identity services that modernizes talent onboarding. Tammy revolutionized the screening industry when she stepped into the field, developing the first client-facing application and a due diligence criminal search that has since become standard for all background screening companies. Cohen has received national awards and honors for her business and civic involvement, including Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 25 Women-Owned Firms in Atlanta, Enterprising Women Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award, and a commendation in the 152nd Congressional Record. To learn more about Tammy, visit www.tammycohen.com.

About InfoMart

InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.