High Turnover in Grocery? Transportation Might Be the Problem

The grocery sector is facing a significant staffing crisis. With turnover climbing, particularly across warehouse and supply chain roles, businesses are struggling to maintain a stable workforce.. 

While many factors contribute to employee dissatisfaction, an often overlooked challenge is transportation. Can your employees consistently and reliably get to work? If they can’t, the odds of them sticking around drop significantly. Here is a look at how transportation (or lack of) might be contributing to high turnover, and how to fix it.

How transportation barriers fuel higher turnover across the grocery sector?

While grocers often focus on wages, benefits and workplace culture as drivers for employee satisfaction and retention; transportation is often overlooked in its significance on turnover. If employees can’t get to work, they simply won’t stay; and when these challenges become too great, businesses see increased absenteeism, reduced output and productivity, and turnover. Could transportation be the root cause of workforce instability?

Are transportation deserts stranding your workforce? Many grocery distribution centers/warehouses are located out of major urban centers or in areas with little to no public transit accessibility. Employees without access to cars or transit face challenges getting to and from work. Inconsistency in commuting can lead to chronic lateness, absenteeism and, unfortunately, a revolving door of employees looking for jobs that come with an easier commute.

Is the cost burden a hidden barrier to retention? Without the availability or reliability of public transit, commuting to and from work can become a costly exercise, leaving employees with little alternative than to rely on expensive ride sharing services or navigate a lengthy and inefficient route. For lower-wage workers, the strain of commuting can be a deal-breaker; with many unwilling (or unable) to spend a considerable portion of their paycheck just to get to work; ultimately choosing to find employment elsewhere.

Is public transit failing off-hour shift workers? Grocery distribution centers and warehouses operate around the clock; with early morning, late night and overnight shifts all too common. This presents a challenge for those reliant on public transit to get to and from work; with transit schedules rarely aligning with shift requirements, leaving workers stranded and more likely to call out or quit the role altogether. 

How can grocers solve transportation challenges?

The grocery sector is reliant on its warehouse, distribution and supply chain staff, who often face significant commuting challenges; so what can be done to address this?

1) Implement a shuttle service - A staff shuttle can eliminate many of the challenges presented by inadequate public transit. By providing direct, shift aligned transport for your employees, businesses can ensure reliable attendance and increase job satisfaction. Companies like Zeelo specialize in smart shuttle services to meet workforce needs and demands, ensuring that employees arrive on time and stress-free; ultimately driving increased productivity in the workplace.

2) Offer transportation as a benefit - The cost of transportation can represent a significant chunk of an employees’ take home pay. Offering financial assistance in the form of mileage reimbursement, commuter subsidies or pre-tax commuting benefits can make a real difference in the lives of low-wage workers. Even a partial reimbursement or subsidy for commuting expenses can ease the burden around retention.

3) Align shift patterns with transit availability - Wherever possible, businesses should look at aligning shift patterns with transit availability. Slight adjustments to start and end times can make a significant difference to workers in ensuring they can make the last train or catch the first bus without long wait times or safety concerns from working late night hours.

4) Incentivize transport alternatives - Encouraging employees to explore alternative commuting options can help to reduce their dependence on costly and unreliable transit. Businesses can look at incentivizing carpooling, adopting bike-to-work schemes, or partnerships with car/vanpool service providers to provide discounted trips. Making commuting more flexible and cost effective can help to boost morale, drive increased attendance and create a more resilient and efficient workforce.

What is the business case for better transport policies?

Beyond addressing immediate transport challenges, an investment in better transportation for employees can bring long term benefits to grocers struggling with increased attrition. A well structured transport policy can be transformative in increasing workforce stability, reducing hiring costs and improving operational performance.

Improved retention & reduced absenteeism - Access to reliable transportation can directly correlate with reduced absenteeism in the workplace. Employees that know they have a dependable way to get to work will be more inclined to stay in their roles longer, reducing the overhead costs associated with hiring and onboarding new staff.

Expanded talent pool - Many businesses tend to limit their hiring opportunities by only considering applicants within a small geographic area. By implementing shuttle solutions, grocers can tap into a significantly larger pool of talent, attracting applicants who may live further away but are otherwise a perfect fit for the role.

Enhanced operational efficiency - Stability in the workplace makes for smoother operations. Employees who are consistently on time, not stressed from an unreliable or exhausting commute, see greater productivity output. Fewer disruptions in staffing means better cohesion across the team; further improving productivity and efficiency across your operations.

Why Zeelo is the smarter way to retain grocery workers

Zeelo specializes in providing data-driven, fully managed shuttle services that eliminates the commuting barriers facing workers across the grocery sector today. Integrating a last mile, home-to-work or park and ride shuttle service can support reduced turnover, boost employee satisfaction and enhance productivity. But why not hear from our riders:

• 70% would stay in their job for an additional 12 months because of Zeelo
• 93% would recommend their place of work because of Zeelo’s transport solution
• 74% report not being able to get to work without Zeelo

If you are struggling with the impact of high turnover, it could well be time to look at transportation policies. Well-planned transportation, be that the provision of an employer sponsored shuttle service or integrating commuter benefits into your operations, might just be the key to solving your workforce challenges for good.

Ready to improve employee retention through smart transportation? Learn more about how Zeelo can support today…

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