Employers that maintain a strong focus on innovative and responsive HR approaches are best positioned to be resilient in the face of challenges.
And without question, trucking and logistics employers are certainly facing many challenges. Rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and market volatility combined with evolving employee expectations and ongoing shifts in how and where people work – it can be overwhelming.
And while every business has unique issues and priorities, keeping a strong focus on your people is a common key to staying resilient and competitive.
This is where we can all learn from THRC’s Top Fleet Employers (TFE).
TFE is a national initiative that recognizes fleets with HR policies and practices that meet the highest standards within the sector. It is not a competition, but a rigorous review process where applicants are evaluated on multiple criteria: skills development, workplace culture, employee engagement, recruitment practices, compensation, sustainability, community engagement, and innovative HR policies.
Top Fleet Employers are industry leaders in showcasing the positives in our industry.
Let’s take a look at 3 approaches all our industry leaders are using.
Employee wellness
From economic pressures, job insecurity, and blurred work-life boundaries – focusing on employee wellness directly supports a positive workplace culture, productivity, and morale.
TFE approaches we can learn from:
- Our TFE’s focus on all roles in the workplace – not just drivers.
- They ensure programs are effective by making sure they come from the top.
- They go well above having an EAP program – they find ways to support their employees daily and do not shy away from talking openly about wellness in regular team meetings.
Leadership Development
As the workplace evolves to become more digital, hybrid, and emotionally dynamic, there’s an opportunity for mid-level and senior leaders to grow by embracing agile, empathetic, and inclusive leadership skills.
TFE approaches we can learn from:
- TFEs identify promising top performers – and support them with executive coaching and other investments such as coaching skills training for managers.
- Fleets are facilitating open dialogue and strategic alignment through regular leadership conferences tailored for mid-level and senior leaders.
- Larger fleets are seeing benefits from more regular regional meetings that allow for localized discussions where employees can engage directly with leadership, share market-specific challenges, celebrate successes, and collaboratively address issues.
Employee engagement
Employees are increasingly seeking connection to their work and want to feel part of a team that is making an impact.
Our top fleets know that doing this well leads to increased morale and productivity.
Here are some TFE approaches we can learn from:
- TFEs are doubling-down on employee loyalty programs. This includes regular long-service recognition and organization-wide performance recognition.
- They support a multi-generational focus on workforce needs. There always has been and always will be a range of generations with different workplace expectations, values, and communication preferences. It remains important to ensure you understand and support your own workplace demographics.
- National Trucking Week has played a role in building a strong, community-focused culture within fleets. Employees have reported this consistently in employee surveys – with drivers in particular finding motivation from this national recognition.
Top fleets continue to demonstrate that people-first approaches are not just beneficial for employees but also for the success of the organization and the sector as a whole.
If you want to learn more about Top Fleet Employers and other THRC programs, you can subscribe to our newsletter, and attend our free Webinar Wednesdays.