One of the top issues in the trucking industry is the much-discussed shortage of qualified drivers; a shortage that continues to plague the industry. The American Trucking Association (ATA) estimates a shortage of nearly 50,000 drivers, and projects that the shortage could increase to 175,000 by 2025 (2017 ATA study). Due to the driver supply shortage, demand for drivers continues to increase rapidly.

Here are some of the top recommendations of how to increase your driver retention:

1. Set Preferred Schedules 

Find ways to keep drivers’ schedules manageable, keeping them home when possible. If you can provide drivers with more at-home days between runs, or adjust schedules to give them different routes they prefer, invest in those changes to give drivers their desired schedules. It’s important to be honest and clearly state expectations from their first day, so that drivers know their projected schedules and don’t get random changes down the road.

2. Connect with Your Drivers

By forming a drivers’ community with your business’ social media channels, you can create a place for drivers to connect. Post topics that matter to drivers, to gain their interest and their trust. If they feel you are working on ways to improve their livelihood — rather than only posting ads and recruitment offers — you can foster their loyalty.

3. Solicit Driver Feedback

You can institute scheduled surveys to get feedback from your drivers, listen to their suggestions, and gather data. Employees feel empowered when they feel their feedback makes a difference in the policies or the practices of the business. When drivers do leave, conduct an exit survey or interview to find out what motivated their departure. Take steps to improve the conditions they reveal, and examine what you can do make other drivers want to stick around.

4. Establish Feasible Bonuses

 Have your financial department or other resource help you determine the cost of hiring and training drivers. Then resolve to put those turnover costs into some type of financial incentive or bonus to help you keep the drivers you have. Many companies reward drivers for safe driving, on-time delivery performance, and more. The ATA found that trucking businesses offered an average bonus of $979 to attract qualified drivers to their fleet, and offered an even larger bonus ($1,143) to retain them in 2016.

Try assessing your current offerings and find ways to keep your best employees. This month, our Facebook and Instagram accounts will feature additional articles and ideas to maintain your driving workforce.