According to the Center for Intermodal Freight Studies, high stress is one of the two primary causes of the high rates of driver turnover we see today. However, there’s also some good news: the Center found that technology can be the solution to driver stress, so long as it’s used in one of three particular ways.
This week, in the first entry of our three-part series on reducing driver stress, we’ll be discussing the first way technology can actually reduce driver stress: Informational support.
Informational Support: What Does That Really Mean?
“Informational support” may seem like a vague term, but it’s actually pretty straightforward, referring to any technology that enables managers to share information with drivers. Examples of this information may include:
- How managers view a driver’s performance
- Which of a driver’s behaviors a manager is concerned about and why
- What a driver can do to improve performance
Basically, when the Center says technology that increases informational support can reduce driver stress, they’re saying that technology that can help drivers and managers feel on the same page can reduce stress by increasing transparency, and in doing so, collectively increase productivity.
How Does Informational Support Reduce Stress?
The explanation for this is simple: When drivers feel like their manager is keeping them in the loop about their performance, is clear about their expectations, and is willing to work with them to improve, they’re much more likely to trust their manager.
Additionally, the Center found that “IT-enabled Information Support… results in increased driver satisfaction. This provides trucking companies with an opportunity to promote their IT investments in their efforts to retain and recruit drivers.” As an example of this, when drivers can see their data—and more importantly, see their progress over time toward a clear goal—they are able to see their contribution and the bigger picture in a tangible, visible way, which anyone would find satisfying.
The Tech You Need to Provide Informational Support
While it may seem difficult to implement technology that can help your managers give drivers the information they need to succeed, fortunately, the Idelic Safety Suite® makes this simple.
With Safety Suite, fleets can ensure their managers and drivers are always on the same page with unparalleled transparency. By giving managers access to a single platform with all their driver data from all their fleet systems, managers can share with drivers the information that they need to see, reducing stress for both of them.
If you’d like to learn more about reducing driver stress, increasing retention, and consolidating your data under a single platform, watch a 2-minute demo or sign up for a deep dive here.