As a fleet owner, you know that your drivers are one of your most important resources. They are the ones responsible for delivering your goods on time and safely. Therefore, it is important that they are healthy, strong, fit, and motivated. As a fleet owner, how can you encourage good healthy habits in the workplace?
Profitability on fair terms
Price pressure, increased competition for orders, bigger operators, unfair competition, lack of drivers, higher requirements for safety and quality certification, requirements for clean, climate-friendly transport... These are just some of the challenges that hauliers describe as obstacles to good profitability. In this blog article, we will take a closer look at what you as a fleet owner can do to keep your employees happy, healthy, and strong.
Preventive work for increased profitability
As an employer, you are responsible for creating a good working environment for your employees. This means, among other things, that you must make sure they have opportunities for movement variability and recuperation during the working day.
Sitting still in the cab of a truck for long periods can lead to a number of adverse effects on health, including:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue and lack of concentration
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Profitable benefits – recruit healthy drivers to your fleet
Fewer accidents
Research shows that tired and stressed truck drivers are more likely to have accidents. Strong and healthy drivers are more alert and attentive, which can lead to fewer accidents and therefore lower costs for repairs and downtime.
Greater customer satisfaction
Satisfied customers are repeat customers. Happy, strong, and healthy truck drivers are more likely to provide good service to your customers, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Increased productivity
Healthy truck drivers work more efficiently and productively.
Strong and stable working team
Healthy drivers take fewer sick days, which results in lower costs for sick pay and substitute employees.
VBG’s 5 tips for fit, healthy, and motivated employees
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Robust procedures
By having clear procedures and structure, unnecessary errors and uncertainties are avoided. Organisation helps to create a safe and positive atmosphere in the workplace. When everyone knows what applies, how we best help one another and make each other’s jobs easier, favourable conditions are created for a good, healthy atmosphere.
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Employee welfare
We know that, after the trucks, drivers are your most important asset! So make sure to take care of those behind the wheel just as you service your fleet.
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Make it easy
Enable and encourage initiatives that contribute to employee health. For instance, access to wellness benefits, such as gym memberships or subsidised massages that can motivate your drivers to take care of their health.
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Do it as a team
Changing habits is hard, but it’s easier when you do it with others. Challenge your team to take part in health-boosting activities. Learn how to make healthy packed lunches, learn together how to do yoga that can be performed in the cab, or hold a workshop where you jointly create a strength and mobility workout that can be performed during working hours.
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Communicate and have the courage to adapt
Ask your employees how you, as an employer, can help them live a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Health is individual, and it’s important that employees are offered health-promoting opportunities adapted to their situation.
Opportunities for movement and recuperation at work are important for preventing health problems. As an employer, you must ensure that employees have the opportunity to influence their own work so that they have sufficient movement variability and recuperation.
Here are some strength exercises you can share to your drivers to try next time it's time to park the truck and get moving.
