As we discussed last week, high stress is one of the two primary causes of the high rates of driver turnover we see today. However, there’s also good news: technology can be the solution to driver stress, so long as it’s used in one of three particular ways.
This week, in the second entry of our three-part series on reducing driver stress, we’ll be discussing the second way technology can actually reduce driver stress: Communications support.
Communications Support: What Does That Really Mean?
“Communications support” sounds like a vague term, but it’s actually pretty straightforward, referring to any technology that enables managers to more effectively communicate with their drivers. Examples of this technology may include:
- Task management systems that help managers consistently engage with their drivers
- Templated discussion plans that help managers understand their goals for each communication event with a driver
- Mobile apps that directly facilitate communication between drivers and their managers, such as Zoom or Google Meet
Importantly, the above technologies don’t just help managers have a conversation with their drivers; they help them have consistent and high quality conversations with their drivers.
How Does Communications Support Reduce Stress?
The explanation for this is simple: When drivers have consistent, high-quality interactions with their manager, they are more likely to feel involved in the culture of their fleet, which can make working at their fleet a more enjoyable experience.
When drivers have a strong, open relationship with their manager, they are more likely to reach out to them for help when they need it. This alone can significantly reduce workplace stress by providing good experiences and additional support when needed. Meanwhile, when a driver does get reprimanded for improperly following a procedure, it’s coming from someone they trust and feel comfortable with, alleviating additional stress.
The Tech You Need to Provide Communications Support
While it may seem difficult to implement technology that can help your managers effectively engage with your drivers, fortunately, the Idelic Safety Suite® makes this simple.
With Safety Suite, managers can form meaningful relationships with their drivers and build a culture of retention at their fleet. Managers can automate reminders to keep a finger on the pulse of their fleet’s culture. They can also attach a templated discussion to each reminder to ensure they are always having high-quality, productive conversations with their drivers.
If you’d like to learn more about reducing driver stress, increasing retention, and consolidating your data into a single platform, watch a 2-minute demo or sign up for a deep dive here.