According to a recent survey by Talent in Logistics, just 30% of LGV drivers in the UK feel valued. The driver engagement research, which surveyed more than 1,300 respondents during February and March 2020, also found that less than half of drivers feel motivated to work hard for their employers, signifying testing times ahead for the logistics sector.
Carried out in collaboration with Pertemps Driving Division, prior to the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, the driver engagement survey sought to investigate how LGV drivers across the country really feel about their role and employers, giving them a unique platform to share their experiences and opinions.
The survey also showed that fewer than half of drivers believe that their company is diverse and inclusive in their recruitment. This was reinforced by the demographics of the survey respondents – more than 7 out of 10 drivers surveyed (72.5%) were aged 41 or over, and 95% were male.
The research also found that fewer than half of the drivers surveyed said that they felt proud (47%) or motivated (49%) to work for their company. Looking at survey results collectively, overall employee engagement for LGV drivers is around 48%. This is considerably lower than the national average, where two-thirds of UK workers are satisfied with their jobs* and signifies a potentially serious engagement issue within this sector.
Employee engagement is the key
According to the white paper, evidence for the importance of employee engagement is compelling. Companies with high levels of employee engagement are reported to see a 40% decrease in their staff turnover rate. Conversely, organisations with a low engagement rate report, on average, 42% more accidents within the workplace.
“It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to LGV drivers,” says Talent in Logistics’ Ruth Edwards. “Yes, there is a worrying skills shortage in this sector and clearly significant engagement issues to overcome, but many of the drivers we surveyed loved their profession, for many different reasons.”
“There can be no doubts whatsoever that drivers are essential components to keep the country running at all times,” adds Samantha Leleu, GM for Pertemps Driving Division. – “It has therefore never been as important to listen to what they have to say to ensure we protect and recognise their valuable contribution to our economy – in the very near future, driving must become an aspirational career for other groups as we strive to tackle a growing driver shortage.”
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