Professional truck drivers have an incredibly important and demanding job. At Bay & Bay, we recognize this and strive to create an outstanding workplace culture so drivers feel valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Here are some of the ways we are constantly building and maintaining an environment where drivers are well positioned for success.
Safety first and always
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more than 42,000 people died on U.S. roads in 2022. In addition, more than two million motorists were injured on the roads last year. At Bay & Bay, we’re doing everything we can to help reduce these numbers by making safety our highest priority.
Because experienced drivers tend to have fewer accidents, Bay & Bay only hires drivers who have at least one year of experience behind the wheel. We also require new drivers to participate in a three-day orientation, which includes online and classroom training. Our orientation team makes sure drivers are comfortable with every aspect of their job before they go out on the road. And we communicate constantly with drivers to understand where they need to improve their skills. This includes understanding how they prefer to learn (such as online, in a classroom, or on a simulator) and encouraging them to seek additional learning opportunities at trade shows and events.
National Truck Driving Championship: The experience of a lifetime
Every year, Bay & Bay drivers compete at state and national events like the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). This year, Bay & Bay Driver Eli Marsolf won the Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) State Championship in the Tank Truck class and earned the right to compete at nationals.
The NTDC is known as “The Super Bowl of Truck Safety.” To participate, drivers must be accident-free for at least one year prior to the competition, among other requirements. It’s an honor to compete for a national championship, and while only one contestant walks away with the grand prize, the opportunity for drivers to showcase their skills alongside the best in the business is a reward in and of itself.
“Nationals was awesome,” said Marsolf. “It’s incredible to be at a competition with elite drivers from across the country. They are the best of the best in the industry. I made a lot of friends and learned a lot.”
Last year, Marsolf won Rookie of the Year out of 25 drivers who were competing for the first time at the Minnesota State Championships. The U.S. Army Veteran has been with Bay & Bay for three years and looks forward to competing for state and national championships for many years to come.
“Drivers absolutely love the National Truck Driving Championship,” said Bay & Bay President of Trucking Lisa Gonnerman, who served on the NTDC committee for several years. “I’ve been a judge and helped set up the course and it is really an enthusiastic environment. It’s a privilege and honor to represent your company and your state on the national level. No matter where you place, everybody wins.”
Clear and consistent communication
Bay & Bay’s open-door policy is a central feature of its workplace culture. Being committed to clear and consistent communication extends beyond the company’s office spaces and terminals to drivers when they’re out on the road.
During orientation, Fleet Managers reach out to new hires to begin building relationships and learning more about each driver. It’s important to make a human connection, so Bay & Bay Fleet Managers and Dispatchers are intentional about relationship-building.
“We need to be there for drivers 24/7,” explained Gonnerman. “We want them to know what’s happening within our company and in the industry. We’re like big a family — but not too big. We’re big enough to offer the stability and benefits of a large company but small enough to build meaningful relationships and a sense of community.”
Community engagement
Bay & Bay employees participate in a wide range of community outreach programs. The most popular programs for drivers are Wreaths Across America and the Special Olympics. These activities bring our drivers and office staff together, build a sense of unity and teamwork, and strengthen our culture across many different locations and job functions.
Modern driver lounges with all the comforts of home
Bay & Bay’s ultra-modern terminals offer drivers a haven to relax after long hours on the road.
These Driver Support Centers are equipped with recharging spots, laundry facilities, showers, exercise equipment, TVs, game rooms, and kitchenettes. It’s a perfect environment for drivers to rejuvenate and get ready to haul the next load.
Driver advisory council — listening to feedback
Driver advisory councils are an excellent way to get feedback from drivers on what’s going well and where there are opportunities to improve. Bay & Bay’s Driver Advisory Council is made up of drivers and employees from across the organization who meet regularly in person and via conference calls. We hear suggestions from drivers and support staff on things we can do better as a company. The goals are to maximize safety, increase customer satisfaction and levels of service to shippers, and improve the driver experience so we can retain and attract the best drivers in the industry.
We also use WorkHound. Each week WorkHound sends out surveys via text to collect annonymous feedback and satisfaction ratings from our driving team. The leadership team reviews this feedback daily.
A great workplace culture is built through communication, teamwork, trust, and empowering employees to achieve their full potential. At Bay & Bay, we are committed to being a world class employer for all our people, while recognizing the vital role that drivers play for our company and the entire industry. Many thanks to all the people behind the wheel who keep our business and the nation’s economy moving forward!