Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/642741
S tay Metrics shared results of a new study that show driver pro- ductivity and performance improves after motor carriers have met their requests to take time off from work. Dr. Amir Erez, a professor of manage- ment and graduate student Trevor Foulk at the Warrington College of Business Administration, University of Florida, conducted the study using data on 682 drivers and 6,487 driver months provided by a fl atbed trucking customer of Stay Metrics with more than 260 power units. "To our knowledge, no one has yet looked at the trucking industry to see if generous time-off policies and proce- dures are able to realize higher employee productivity and job performance," said Dr. Erez, who serves as a member of Stay Metrics Scientifi c Advisory Board. Stay Metrics offers driver engagement and retention services for motor carriers. It administers a custom-branded online driver rewards and recognition platform for its clients that also serves as a data col- lection tool for driver satisfaction surveys. The company also conducts new driver interviews at the 7 and 45-day periods and exit interviews as a neutral third party. "We know at Stay Metrics that home time, or the lack thereof, is a predictor of driver turnover," said Tim Hindes, chief executive offi cer of Stay Metrics. "What this new study shows is that now an argument can be made by fl eet operators that home time has productiv- ity and fi nancial benefi ts as well." The study modeled time off requests that were met by the carrier each month to fi nd the effects on three variables for desirable driver performance in the BEST 20 www.FlatbedTruckingJobs.com March 2016 Stay Metrics study shows 'time off' policies help drivers be more productive, profitable PRACTICES By Aaron Huff