South Bend, IN. July 12 —Stay Metrics, the leading provider of evidence-based driver feedback, engagement, training, and retention solutions for the transportation industry, announces a research report on the causes and solutions of early driver turnover.
Stay Metrics has worked with more than 100 trucking companies to solve human resource issues and collected data from over 62,000 drivers. Ongoing research by the company shows more than 70 percent of driver turnover occurs within the first year of employment with 35 percent happening in the first three months.
The authors of the new report, led by Timothy Judge, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of Stay Metrics, reviewed an academic model of early turnover by drawing from research literature. The academic model is compared with empirical data obtained from Stay Metrics’ suite of Driver Survey products and driver turnover data provided by its clients.
“We are pleased to continue offering the latest scientific research to help motor carriers fine-tune their strategies to retain more of their best drivers,” said Tim Hindes, Chief Executive Officer of Stay Metrics.
The academic model shows that employee dissatisfaction with jobs triggers an intent to quit within the first four months. Stay Metrics data reflect more aggressive emergence of dissatisfaction and turnover intent, resulting in a pattern of early turnover in the trucking industry.
The new research examines the impact of driver demographic characteristics, industry tenure, attitudes and work experiences, among other factors, that influence early turnover.
Key findings are summarized below:
• Age differences among drivers are insignificant for early leavers. Millennial drivers, for example, are no more likely to leave during the first year of employment than Baby Boomers.
• Experienced drivers (1+ year of industry tenure) have higher early-stage turnover. Once drivers stay longer than 1 year with a carrier they are more likely to remain compared to those with less experience.
• Early-stage leavers have a surprisingly more positive attitude toward their employers than drivers who leave after one year. Judge noted the “honeymoon effect” of job change is consistent with academic research in other industries. New hires generally have positive impressions and attitudes toward their new jobs.
• Driver attitudes towards recruiters and dispatchers are a strong signal of early stage turnover.
Drivers with high recruiter satisfaction have a 22 percent lower turnover rate in the first three months compared to those with low satisfaction. Likewise, high dispatcher satisfaction is associated with 16 percent lower early turnover.
“We are pleased to continue offering the latest scientific research to help motor carriers fine-tune their strategies to retain more of their best drivers,” said Tim Hindes, Chief Executive Officer of Stay Metrics. “The most recent report highlights the value of recruiting with driver retention in mind and using survey data at critical periods of the employment lifecycle to reduce driver turnover.”
Stay Metrics offers survey solutions to motor carriers that assess driver attitudes shortly after hire and a longer annual attitude survey. The research data used in the latest report comes from the 7-Day and 45-Day Orientation Surveys and the in-depth Annual Driver Survey the company administers for trucking companies.
To obtain a free copy of the new whitepaper, “Is Early Turnover Damaging the Business? How and What Can We Do to Stop It?”, please visit http://staymetrics.com.
About Stay Metrics
Stay Metrics is the leading provider of evidence-based driver feedback, engagement, training, and retention solutions for the transportation industry. Stay Metrics helps trucking companies engage, reward and keep their best drivers.
Stay Metrics industry-leading suite of driver lifecycle feedback interviews and surveys, combined with advanced data analytics, helps carriers understand driver behaviors and attitudes related to driver retention. Stay Metrics offers a unique custom-branded loyalty rewards program to recognize driver performance on key metrics. The engagement platform also serves as a communication and resources hub for drivers, in addition to supporting DRIVESAFE and DRIVEFIT training modules. Stay Metrics is based at Innovation Park at Notre
Dame. Learn more about Stay Metrics at http://staymetrics.com.