Monthly Archives: May 2013

Aging Driver Workforce Adds To Driver Shortage

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If your organization hires drivers, you’ve likely experienced the increasing talent shortage of qualified drivers in the past years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, since 2000 the number of service and truck drivers age 55 or older has grown as much as 19% to 616,000. When coupled with the the lowered interest in driving careers by younger generations, the talent shortage for professional drivers will continue to climb well over 100,000 by as early as next year.

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What can you do to maintain a qualified driver workforce? The best solution is to implement multiple recruiting and retention strategies to battle both sides of the talent war. Studies have shown that allowing employees the opportunity to work part time or seasonally, may lengthen their employment term and result in later retirements. If your workforce includes drivers of retirement age, you may consider allowing them to split shifts, work seasonally, or decrease their hours in order to maintain their experience and expertise on your team. Making sure you provide a safe and positive working environment,  competitive compensation package, and growth opportunities will also help you retain members of your team.

Attracting new drivers, can be more difficult and certainly more costly than retaining your current team. First, your organization has to be one that drivers identify as having career opportunities. Making sure that your website, trucks, and employment brand identify your organization as a company that drivers want to work for is the first step. Referrals from current and past drivers can be a huge savings to your bottom line! Work with your staff to get the word out when you have an opening, offer referral bonuses, and show your staff that you appreciate their efforts in referring safe and qualified drivers.

If you are still struggling to attract or retain drivers, or realize that you will have an upcoming talent shortage, now is the time to partner with an industry staffing expert; before it effects your clients. While many roles within your company can be cross trained, covered by other staff, or neglected, the transportation of your finished product cannot be ignored.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professional drivers? Contact us today! Learn more about our Dedicated Driver Services here! Are you a safe and professional driver who is seeking a rewarding career? Visit us here to locate a driving career in your area!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

 

 

FMCSA Waives Hours of Service Rules For Relief Efforts

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has exercised its rights and is temporarily waiving hours of service rules for drivers who are aiding recovery efforts from the recent tornado that hit in Moore, Oklahoma. This accommodation is designed to assist in recovery efforts, allowing for critical food, medical, and other relief supplies to be transported into the area.

The current destruction has effected major highways, increasing the difficulty of transporting goods and needed personnel into the area. The temporary waiver is in effect until June 5th, unless recovery efforts require less time in which it will be lifted sooner.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professional drivers? Contact us today! Learn more about our Dedicated Driver Services here! Are you a safe and professional driver who is seeking a rewarding career? Visit us here to locate a driving career in your area!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Is Your Staffing Partner Protecting You From Future Damages?

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As with any business partner, most companies assume that the staffing partner that they select is protecting them from future damages and charges. While during the course of employment most of the liability incurred with an employee would fall under the responsibility of the staffing firm, there are some cases in which an incorrect decision on your staffing partner’s behalf could effect you in the future.

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Recently a produce company was ordered to pay almost $500,000 in back wages and damages to temporary workers who were incorrectly compensated for their work in the past. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the firm was investigated as part of a multi-year enforcement effort.

In this instance, the produce company operating in New Jersey was requiring temporary workers to report to the production area 15 minutes before their shift was to start but they were not compensated for this time. In addition to this uncompensated for time, the employees were on occasion paid piece rate wages which were not taken into account when calculating overtime.

In this case, both the produce company and their staffing firm were considered liable for Fair Labor Standards Act violations. The produce company signed a settlement agreement that including back wages and liquidated damages, amounted to $498,604. How can you help prevent being in a similar situation?

As with any potential business partner, you should pre-screen your staffing partner. The more established and experienced the staffing agency and their staff are, the more protection and quality of service you can expect. An established staffing agency should be able to provide you with a brief bio on the team who will be servicing your account, information on their corporate support structure, references from current and previous clients in your industry, and be familiar with appropriate laws and regulations in your industry. Choosing a staffing partner who can identify possible situations like the one above, can save you large amounts of money in the long run. While it is not the staffing partner’s responsibility to stop you from violations such as those above with the Fair Labor Standards Act, an experienced staffing professional is likely to bring it to your attention that you may be in violation or that such actions could cause you future damages or harm.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

You Can't Afford NOT To Build An Employment Brand

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Whether it’s the time or the money invested that has prevented you from building an employment brand, you cannot afford to miss out any longer. A recent survey done by LinkedIn including 4,700 employers, found that employers saved as much as 50% on each new hire after creating a strong employment brand. By the time time you figure that across each new hire alone, you have quickly justified the investment!

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Who's Hiring This Summer?

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Whether you are seeking summer employment or considering a career change, the summer of 2013 is looking good for you! According to Career Builder, almost a third of U.S. employers are planning to hire summer workers this year, with an overwhelming majority considering summer workers for permanent positions! What does this mean for you?

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Office Etiquette Tips

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Have you ever wondered why you were not selected for a promotion or aren’t being considered for other opportunities in your organization? Your demeanor and office etiquette may be to blame. Here are some great tips to help you excel in an office setting!

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How To Land Your First Job

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Whether you’ve recently graduated or are entering a new profession, landing your first job can be difficult. While you may have a strong education and credentials on your side, the competition for entry level positions including Engineers, IT Professionals, HR Professionals, and Accounting Professionals can be steep. Looking to gain a competitive edge against your peers? Here’s how!

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What Do the 2012 Top 100 For-Hire Carriers Have In Common?

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Transport Topics recently released of their 2012 Top 100 For-Hire Carriers rankings. Ranked and evaluated in a number of areas including annual revenue, net income, number of employees, equipment, and their operating units, this report is provides an at a glance analysis of the trends that are shaping today’s industry. What do these major players have in common?

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