Microlise’s Navigating UK Transport and Logistics in 2026 and Beyond report found that 43% of respondents loved working in logistics and would not consider moving into another industry. However, a further 51% said they enjoyed their roles but might still consider a change within the next five years.
The remaining 6% said they did not enjoy their work and were likely to seek a different career path altogether.
Working hours, pressure and compliance drive dissatisfaction
Among those considering a potential career change, the most commonly cited reason was a desire to reduce working hours, mentioned by 27% of respondents. Another 26% pointed to the pressures associated with logistics management, while 25% cited the growing complexity of regulatory compliance.
Respondents also identified low salaries, excessive manual administration and frustration with outdated operational processes as contributing factors.
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These concerns echo other findings in the report. Some 41% of respondents said they still felt overwhelmed by the volume of regulatory requirements attached to modern fleet operations.
Administrative work is also becoming more time-consuming and costly. Respondents reported spending an average of 2.3 hours a day manually processing proof-of-delivery documents, up from 1.7 hours in 2025.
Microlise put the average cost of this work at £172.40 a day — a figure that could exceed £62,000 a year for a business operating seven days a week.
Confidence in technology is rising
Despite these pressures, confidence in workplace technology has improved. Some 76% of respondents said they had the tools required to do their jobs efficiently, up from 67% in 2025.
Over the same period, the proportion who felt unable to manage the drivers under their supervision effectively fell from 28% to 18%.
The findings therefore point to a workforce that feels increasingly well equipped to manage day-to-day operations, even as many remain uncertain about staying in the sector over the longer term.
About the research
The research was conducted by 3Gem between 6 and 16 March 2026 among 250 UK professionals with responsibility for fleet operations, transport management or wider business performance.
All respondents worked for organisations employing at least 250 people, and most held senior positions.
Only 29 respondents were employed directly in transport and storage, while the largest single group — 71 people — worked in technology. The findings therefore primarily reflect the views of senior decision-makers at large organisations with responsibility for fleet and transport operations, rather than the UK haulage industry as a whole.
