Did you know, some research states that over 80% of drivers have reported experiencing burnout1? Rapidly increasing costs, low and unfair pay and long hours unsurprisingly takes their toll on drivers. Increasing reports of stress and burnout from drivers leading to serious mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. These conditions not only negatively impact drivers, they cause complications for businesses as less drivers are available to make deliveries, and some research as listed poor mental health as a common cause of road accidents2, posing a considerable threat to the general public.
This article dives into the adverse effects industry trends are having on driver mental health and the solutions we can implement to overcome the issue.
The e-commerce boom has increased the demand for delivery drivers. Customer expectations have shifted significantly, with 78% of consumers now expecting to see same-day or next-day delivery options at checkout. This expedited delivery landscape increases time pressures for drivers, requiring more efficiency and flexibility.
Alongside this, with growing attention to more sustainable delivery options has prompted exploration of innovative delivery solutions, such as delivery drones. While these developments hold promise for the future of the environment, they have increased concerns surrounding job security for delivery drivers. This pressure is furthered by the treatment drivers often experience, with 69% having reported their pay has been withheld until all deliveries had been completed and 54% stated they weren’t paid overtime despite working outside of scheduled hours1.
As the demand for deliveries increases, the quality of information given to drivers is sometimes wavering, with many reporting stress arising from continually unclear delivery information. This, paired with increased road traffic causing unplanned delays ads more stress to drivers’ day-to-day.
Whilst the terms ‘key worker’ has become commonplace since the pandemic, the mental health toll on delivery drivers persists 3. Research indicates a concerning trend: one in five delivery drivers described their mental health as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ 3.
The reasons behind this decline are clear. Drivers are handling a multitude of stressors: increased time pressures and workload, job uncertainty and road congestion. As drivers, particularly those that are self-employed, often have no one to share their concerns with, the increased stress can lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of control – as more than 1 in 10 drivers said they hadn’t spoken to anyone about their struggles 3. The perceived lack of control and unresolved issues can lead to a sense of hopelessness.
To create a sustainable future for the delivery workforce, prioritising driver wellbeing and safety is paramount. Here’s how we can achieve this:
For drivers who are feeling the strain on their mental health, it is important to talk to employers or your support network to get help wherever you can! There are also useful online tools to help manage stress levels and find ways to restore balance between work and life; Headspace, My Possible Self and Calm offer a range of exercises and information to help improve your mental health.
DeliveryApp prides itself on prioritising driver wellbeing. We never allow bidding for jobs – the price you see is what you get! We provide payment in 7-days, offer a dedicated driver support team to streamline communication and place maximum caps on multi-drop bookings to ensure the working day ends when it should.
Learn more about our driver benefits here.
