Every courier business wants to retain its drivers. If more and more drivers are leaving, something is wrong. It could be that there is no work-life balance, poor working conditions, low pay, or maybe no company culture.
Low driver retention rates signify that delivery drivers are not happy. And if they’re not happy, it will cost you money and impact your operations.
Why do drivers leave?
Delivery drivers quit for an array of reasons, most of which are unique to each individual. But here are some of the main reasons:
- Undervalued
- No work-life balance
- Underpaid
- Lack of perks
- Poor-quality equipment
- Overworked
Knowing why your drivers are quitting is the first step to improving your driver retention levels.
6 of the best ways to improve delivery driver retention
1. Healthy work environment
Drivers need to feel trusted to do the job you have recruited them to do. A lack of trust can cause business owners to start micromanaging their drivers, leading to an unhealthy work environment.
Drivers are attracted to courier roles because of the freedom and autonomy that is supposed to come with them.
2. Timely pay
A big red flag is when courier businesses delay paying their drivers. You never want to be in a situation where your business has a reputation for not paying drivers on time. Delayed pay creates a bad image for your courier firm in the industry, making it harder to recruit new drivers.
At Wise, we have industry-leading payment technology that takes all the hassle out of paying your workforce, meaning no excuses for any payday issues!
Our software does the work for you; all you are required to do is bulk upload payment information, and then we will pay your drivers however often you like (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly payment options).
3. Listen to feedback
Communication is at the forefront of retaining drivers. A common complaint from drivers is not feeling appreciated. Drivers don’t want to feel like a number; they want to feel heard and want their work to be appreciated.
It is important to check in with drivers regularly and ask them for feedback. In these instances, it is crucial that you not only listen but also act on what the drivers have to say.
4. Incentivise drivers
The lack of perks is a big pain point for delivery drivers. Pay is important, but it’s not the only thing drivers are concerned about. Drivers want to know that their health and well-being are also being cared for.
Offering a competitive perks package is a great way to retain your workforce.
Due to the nature of the self-employment industry, it can be difficult to directly provide perks to your workforce. That’s where we can help!
By partnering with Wise, you can offer your workforce a full suite of perks, such as:
- Digital GP with free prescriptions
- 24/7 Mental Health Support
- Total Van Assist
- Discounts and cashback
5. Creative, active job description
Many delivery companies overlook the power of a good job description. Creating an accurate job description that reflects the working environment and its perks can help convince more drivers to apply.
A good job description should include unique qualities that make the job stand out, such as flexible hours or competitive pay. Other important factors you should consider including are:
- Introduction to your courier business
- Responsibilities of the delivery driver role
- Highlight the perks you provide
- List any requirements needed for the job
6. Invest in quality equipment
Quality equipment is a must for drivers to be able to carry out their jobs safely. Many drivers often leave reviews about fleets and mention issues about the quality of their equipment. Negative reviews can tarnish the reputation of your business when hiring.
Investing in quality equipment is an excellent way to demonstrate that you care about the health and safety of your drivers.
Wise can help you tackle driver retention issues
Tackling your driver turnover rate will not only allow you to save on costs but also help to improve productivity, efficiency, and the customer experience.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution to improve your driver retention levels, speak to a Wise expert today.
