Working during lockdown has taken its toll on some van drivers

Van drivers have played a vital role keeping Britain moving during the lockdown, delivering goods and essential services throughout the Coronavirus crisis.

These fleet champions have worked hard to help the country, with their average workload increasing by almost 20 hours a month, according to new research.

But this commitment has come at a cost, with more than one-third of drivers in a recent survey saying the pandemic has compromised their work-life balance.

Almost 50% of those surveyed by Mercedes-Benz Vans said that being away from home for long periods of time is their biggest concern, while around one-third had worries about their mental and physical health, a significant increase compared to before the crisis.

The figures are concerning because mental health issues can affect concentration and therefore how drivers perform on the road.

Furthermore, experts have found that suicide is now the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK and many of those who take their own lives struggle with mental health issues, suffering in silence for fear of isolation, ridicule or lack of support from those around them.

The team at Reflex Vehicle Hire recognises that talking openly about mental health is important because it removes any stigma associated with the issue and raises awareness of the resources available for men, many of whom are working as drivers.

To support employees, Reflex Vehicle Hire offers the Wellbeing Of Reflex Drivers (WORD) programme.

This initiative is focused on helping our clients to talk more openly with their drivers about health and wellbeing and recognises that external factors, such as depression, can have a direct impact on a person’s performance in the workplace.

Using our Flexiprofiler risk profiling service, drivers can discuss how they are feeling, which in turn can prompt help and guidance should they need it.

We have also supported the Van Excellence partnership with the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which aims to break down the barriers around driver mental health problems.

As drivers have worked so hard to support businesses and communities, we feel it is important to provide them with services and help that make their jobs easier.

This includes enhanced risk management support to keep them safe on the road, through our Driive with Reflex modular risk management programme.

Giving public support to drivers is also important, as the Mercedes-Benz Vans research showed that 82% of van drivers and operators feel that their efforts are appreciated by customers; more than one quarter have received a thank you message on social media and 21% have received applause while out on delivery.

Oliver Waring, Managing Director of Reflex Vehicle Hire, said:

“We would like to add our thanks to all the drivers who have worked so hard to support consumers, businesses and communities during the crisis. Their efforts have been vital to keeping Britain moving and they deserve recognition for their valuable work. Reflex Vehicle Hire is proud to be able to support drivers with services that protect them both on and off the road and we look forward to continuing to partner with them in future.”

You can see the Mercedes-Benz Vans research here.

Source: Mercedes-Benz Vans Business Barometer

Source: Mercedes-Benz Vans Business Barometer

Source: Mercedes-Benz Vans Business Barometer

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