A word from Taylor Wilson, Operations Team Leader at Fraley and Schilling
At Fraley and Schilling we set out to solve the age-old question from drivers, “How do I make more money?” The solution: investing more money in the people that are moving the needle. To put it more plainly, performance based pay programs. Performance based pay programs are more commonly called percentage pay and it’s a switch from the more traditional per mile driven pay program. Here’s what we love about percentage pay: drivers who showcase above-average performance and flexibility in regard to schedules are able to earn more money than an average driver. Per mile pay treats each driver identical, while percentage pay recognizes efficiency, home-time sacrifice, flexibility, and overall knowledge of the job.
I believe we have the best driver force on the roads today which must mean drivers that run under the F&S logo are the safest, most committed group of professional drivers in the industry. This is due to our stringent hiring standards, allowing us to onboard top-tier drivers who are goal oriented and focused on growth. At some point we wondered how to take that positive growth and energy and harness it into goals. As an Operations Team Leader here at Fraley and Schilling, most of my role is speaking with and assisting our drivers so I know truck drivers well. When performance based pay programs were suggested it seemed a natural fit. I have observed in my many conversations that drivers who grow and develop are the ones that are challenged, which is exactly what performance based programs cultivate – a challenge. Our drivers are able to track in real time where they are relative to their goals and how they can change their performance to meet or exceed these goals.
We are a successful company because we have great people in our driver seats; this is hands-down our greatest asset year after year. Retaining great drivers and meeting their needs remains the balance that we strive to triumph at as we continue to grow and evolve in an ever changing industry.