How You Can Improve Working Conditions for Truck Drivers as a Fleet Manager

Fleet Manager

Apr 6, 2022

If you're a good fleet manager, you're probably always looking for ways to improve working conditions for truck drivers. 

Fleet managers have a huge amount of responsibilities. On top of managing schedules, maintaining vehicles, and monitoring drivers, another important task fleet drivers have is finding various ways to improve working conditions for their drivers. 

Fleet managers across the United States have been striving to find better ways to improve their employee's overall work experience. Today, we're looking at several ways managers can boost morale and their drivers' working conditions.

Continue reading to learn more.

 

Why Should Fleet Managers Improve Working Conditions for Truck Drivers

Fleet managers should work to improve the working conditions for their truck drivers for many reasons. A good working environment means more drivers will want to join your fleet, and you'll see a vast improvement in your team's morale, which results in better retention. All of this means less work and hassle for fleet managers!

 

 

5 Ways Fleet Managers Can Improve Working Conditions for Truck Drivers

 

If you want to improve the working conditions for your truck drivers, here’s what you can do:

 

  1. Set Clear Expectations at Work

A lack of clarity and confusion in the workplace quickly lowers productivity and lessens efficiency. Not to mention, most employees don't like the feeling of being unsure of their responsibilities. It is mentally draining; you want your fleet members to be as alert and focused as they possibly can be. 

Setting clear expectations allows your team to put all their focus on their job. Before your work environment becomes muddled, make sure you are extremely clear with your expectations and that you engage in thoughtful and effective communication with each of your crew members.

 

  1. Put Your Crew's Safety First Always

As a fleet manager, your crew's safety should be your number one priority. Paying close attention to your team's stress and fatigue levels and staying on top of vehicle maintenance can help avoid accidents. You don't need to wait for a close call or an accident to actually happen before acting. 

Since fatigue and the risk of crashes are directly related, it is critical for fleet managers to pay attention to this and to the wellbeing of their drivers when making the schedules. Even the slightest bit of tiredness can lead to accidents. A fleet manager can create good working conditions and avoid most problems by being proactive rather than reactive.

 

  1. Give Your Drivers an Open Mind and Listening Ear

If you're a fleet manager and want to improve working conditions, make sure you view yourself as part of the team, rather than the boss on top; aim to be a mentor instead of someone in a higher operating and powerful position. 

Be the kind of manager that puts the sincere needs of team members ahead of profits. Creating an environment where your drivers can openly and honestly communicate is one of the best ways you can improve working conditions. Make sure to really listen to both positive and negative feedback.

Work to cultivate a space where your crew knows they can turn to you if ever an issue comes up, whether it's a personal problem or work-related stress. By supporting your team to the best of your abilities and being an empathetic leader, you can vastly improve working conditions.

 

  1. Simplify the Process at Work for Your Team

It's no secret that life on the road is difficult in many ways, which is why great fleet managers make reporting and scheduling as seamless as possible for their teams. The good news is today's time-saving and advanced technology allows truck drivers to perform their routine vehicle inspections digitally. It may be an investment, but it will simplify the process and save you and your team countless hours on the road.

Going digital also helps guarantee that regular checks are actually occurring, which results in a safe and better-maintained fleet. Automating this process means you and your team will have less to stress about, thus improving work conditions.

 

  1. Encourage Positive Work-Life Balance, and Mental Health 

Life on the road can undoubtedly be taxing on your mental health and extremely lonely. For this reason, it's important for fleet managers to improve working conditions by promoting a positive work-life balance and putting mental health first. Here are some of the ways you can support your drivers in this way:

 

  • Encourage Communication with Family and Friends — A great fleet manager encourages regular communication and connection with their family and friends back home. Physical separation from loved ones can mean an emotional and mental detachment; however, your crew can avoid this by talking or texting with their circle. Equipping your vehicles with Bluetooth technology allows your team to chat on the road, and frequent breaks ensure they can send off texts. 
  • Encourage Team Interaction — No one knows more how challenging the life of a trucker is than another driver. Getting your crew on their truck radios and conversing with each other is a great way to boost morale on the road.
  • Encourage Unwinding Activities — Being alone isn't just the lack of another physical presence; it can also be a mental thing. Great managers encourage unwinding activities that also help ease the feeling of being alone, such as reading a book or watching TV.

 

 

Want to Improve Working Conditions for Truck Drivers? Get EpicVue!

 

If you want to be a great fleet manager and improve working conditions for truck drivers, get your crew EpicVue. EpicVue outfits your vehicles with premium in-cab satellite TV with more than 180 exciting channels. 

Making meaningful connections is challenging as a truck driver, but making conversation about the shows you are watching can feel like home. After that, your team is ready to head back out on their routes, feeling recharged, and can enjoy the new memories and friendships they've made, despite the confines of their trucks.

Watching TV can counteract the burdening feelings of isolation. Happy and healthy crew members are much more likely to stay with your team, which drastically reduces the expensive cycle of recruitment and retention. Contact EpicVue to learn more!

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5 Steps to Developing a Truck Fleet Management Strategy

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Quality truck fleet management with a good strategy is a vital element for success in the trucking industry. These systems are necessary for communication, and processes are sure to succeed. There’s no doubt that the best semi-truck fleet teams are those that are effectively and efficiently managed, making a great fleet manager worth their weight in gold — and then some!  But what is it exactly that makes a fleet manager great? It all comes down to a solid fleet management strategy and reliable semi-fleet processes. In fact, these are essential to finding both short- and long-term success. If you’re in charge of a semi-truck fleet and are looking to build a fail-proof truck fleet management strategy, you’re in the right place. We’re here to give you some tried-and-true tips and tricks for developing a solid plan. With a little hard work and the right strategy, you will surely see increased profits, fleet growth, and a happier, healthier, and more productive crew. Keep scrolling to learn more.

5 Things to Consider When Developing Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

If you want to develop a quality truck fleet management strategy, make sure to consider the following:
  1. Invest in a Fleet Management System — You could be the most experienced and focused manager, but you will still have difficulties staying organized and productive without a quality truck fleet management system in place. Managers of old used to rely on elaborate systems involving paper spreadsheets, filing cabinets, and more to run their business, but there are simpler ways to get the job done. Join the digital age by digitizing your workflow and operations; you’ll find that processes are optimized, and your team’s performance is improved! A good system will allow you to keep track of the best routes, maintenance schedules, driver and vehicle efficiency, automating various tasks (such as routing and scheduling deliveries, billing and invoicing, sending jobs to drivers, etc.) and more so you can maximize the potential of your fleet.
  2. Find Ways to Cut Maintenance Costs — It’s no secret that the economy is in an exciting place right now. Inflation is on the rise, and maintenance costs are not exempt. A solid semi-truck fleet manager must prioritize finding ways to reduce costs. Taking a defensive, preventive approach to maintenance is key. Improving fleet efficiency and ensuring that your rigs and necessary equipment are in tip-top shape and ready to go can help you stay ahead of maintenance issues. Consider utilizing a good fleet management system that can tell you about the vehicles’ engines and other diagnostic features to help extend the life of your trucks. These tools can help you quickly identify any problems with your trucks and avoid issues down the road when they become more serious, thus cutting maintenance costs. Another way to reduce maintenance costs is to base your trucks’ service schedule on accurate engine usage hours instead of an arbitrary calendar. This helps to eliminate unnecessary repairs and potential hours and revenue lost, allowing you to make the most of your fleet while still taking great care of them.
  3. Find Ways to Save Money on Fuel — As a fleet manager, it almost always comes down to budget. And one of the biggest portions (we’re talking between 50% and 65%) of overall operating costs is dedicated to fueling costs. As mentioned above, having a good management system and GPS tracking in place can help you develop an excellent management strategy. You’ll be able to monitor your drivers’ driving performance, habits, and behavior and monitor fuel usage, which directly affects fuel consumption. By tracking and analyzing this information, you’ll be alerted to issues sooner than you may have been otherwise. Moreover, tracking this info will keep you apprised of any safety concerns, such as aggressive driving. Addressing these issues will help you reduce operational costs associated with your fuel budget.
  4. Perfect and Optimize Your Drivers’ Routes — Customers and clients demand quick and on-time deliveries, so taking the perfect and optimal route is absolutely crucial. Your business’ reputation counts on it! Inaccurate arrival time estimates, delays, and inefficient routes will only lead to frustration. Hiccups and issues along the way are bound to happen and are an inevitable part of any industry, including trucking. But, by automating customer notifications and other processes, fleet managers can experience a lot less stress, allowing them to spend time and put their focus elsewhere.
  5. Prioritize Your Drivers’ Health and Wellness — One of the biggest parts of developing a good truck fleet management strategy is prioritizing your team’s health and wellness. Feeling isolated on the road comes with being a truck driver; it’s part of the territory. So fleet managers who promote a healthy work-life balance and positive mental health are typically much more successful.

Here are some ways managers can prioritize employees’ health:

Include EpicVue in Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

Developing a truck fleet management strategy is essential to the success of your business, and EpicVue is here to help make it happen. EpicVue will outfit your fleet with premium in-cab television so your drivers can enjoy a bit of home on the road and catch up on their favorite shows. Contact EpicVue today to learn more.