Driver needing attitude change

Aug 19, 2016 at 12:32 AM CST + 4 - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. A driver got 2 logbook violations and an axle weight violation just from laziness. I hate that I can't find a way to get it through to him that I cannot tolerate this . I gave him a written warning a couple weeks ago about something and a verbal warning regarding something else before he left. Obviously these actions on my part aren't getting his attention. I also have a suspicion that he hopes to be terminated but he is counting on unemployment which I won't tolerate. If I give him unpaid time off he'll just look at it as a vacation so it hurts me worse than him. I detest that I haven't been smart enough to have a way to penalize him that doesn't hurt me the worst and termination seems like a weak way out. IDEAS please. Thanks Art Pfluger

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 01:06 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Vasoline , either and duck tape always works......

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 07:26 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Last year I had a driver starting to get an attitude problem then we figured out that he was drinking on the job. The next time he came in my wife smelled alcohol on his breath. She came in and told me and then in return I told him that work was getting kind of slow right now go ahead and go home and I'll call you as soon as it picks up. Every day when he called my wife or I told him that work was slow and yes he would complain but eventually he went away that stopped him from drawing unemployment because technically he quit because he didn't show up for work for 2 weeks. I hate to have to do that to people but we have to protect ourselves and when it's time for someone to go it's time for them to go.

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 07:26 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Last year I had a driver starting to get an attitude problem then we figured out that he was drinking on the job. The next time he came in my wife smelled alcohol on his breath. She came in and told me and then in return I told him that work was getting kind of slow right now go ahead and go home and I'll call you as soon as it picks up. Every day when he called my wife or I told him that work was slow and yes he would complain but eventually he went away that stopped him from drawing unemployment because technically he quit because he didn't show up for work for 2 weeks. I hate to have to do that to people but we have to protect ourselves and when it's time for someone to go it's time for them to go.

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 09:28 AM CST - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Hi! What about starting to tag the drivers for the fines associated with those. That hits him hard and although it doesn't change the scores being yours, it might wake him up. Just a thought!

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 09:30 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I am with Jason on this one Art. When I had a similar problem with an O/O, OOIDA told me to just starve them out, only give them enough work to cover your overhead and then let the truck sit. He will leave on his on accord. Right now you can terminate at will because he broke the law, and deny his unemployment claim on that merit.

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 12:33 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. up here if you are fired you do not qualify for employment insurance unless the person has a valid reason against the employer, like some kind of rights violation

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 01:14 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Logic says let him go, but I hate that I can't get him to understand the problem. I only see a 2 week unpaid vacation or termination as possible solutions. He's been with us for while. Art Pfluger

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 05:09 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Put in an electronic log book in his truck.. You probably will need one anyway.. And govern the truck to 55or 60..and tell him.. The over weight tickets are on him.. So anymore cough up the money.. But i do like the vasoline and duct tape..

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 07:55 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. its clear that they are not respecting you. You are probably better off letting them go before they upset a customer also or try and take you for a fraud injury work comp claim. there are ALL KINDS OUT THERE! GOOD LUCK!

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 08:38 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Art- I hate to go soft on you, but I sensed you don't want to get rid of him at first, then you said he's been with you a long time- did he start having personal problems at home? did he get bored and needs something different/challenged in a different way? Believe me I hate getting soft and all bleeding heart because its YOUR company, your the boss its your rules period! I just kinda sensed theres an emotional attachment on your part, plus it isn't easy to find good drivers and this one is already trained(I'm using that word loosely). Maybe you don't have the time/patience to babysit grown men and I wouldn't judge you for that either, society is a joke anymore when it comes to work ethic and respect for where their paycheck comes from. This country needs soup lines again for a wake up call back to reality.

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 08:38 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Art- I hate to go soft on you, but I sensed you don't want to get rid of him at first, then you said he's been with you a long time- did he start having personal problems at home? did he get bored and needs something different/challenged in a different way? Believe me I hate getting soft and all bleeding heart because its YOUR company, your the boss its your rules period! I just kinda sensed theres an emotional attachment on your part, plus it isn't easy to find good drivers and this one is already trained(I'm using that word loosely). Maybe you don't have the time/patience to babysit grown men and I wouldn't judge you for that either, society is a joke anymore when it comes to work ethic and respect for where their paycheck comes from. This country needs soup lines again for a wake up call back to reality.

Replied on Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 11:45 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. How do you make any money with today's trucking world and having drivers , all the bs and cheap azz frieght and to top it off dealing with drivers tearing crap up ect, I just can't believe we're at a point when people want you to sit and wait for free and drive and live in a truck for shit wages, o wait it's been like this for years

Replied on Sat, Aug 20, 2016 at 12:33 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Through this whole thing here is what I ask each and every one of you that have responded. All of you have valid input. I as a truck owner can put up this post on this forum and feel secure that even though I have never met most of you I will get your honest opinion and right or wrong everyone is just trying to help me. This is a great bunch of people on here. I thank each and every one. When this person gets back I will have to make a decision. I value your opinions or I wouldn't have bothered you folks. If this driver hadn't been a good and valued person for so long it would be easy. As it is I feel I owe him my time to speak with him face to face and attempt to get a better sense of where his brain is but I think he is done. Thanks one and all for your help. However this does prove we can help one another. Art Pfluger

Replied on Sat, Aug 20, 2016 at 12:33 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Through this whole thing here is what I ask each and every one of you that have responded. All of you have valid input. I as a truck owner can put up this post on this forum and feel secure that even though I have never met most of you I will get your honest opinion and right or wrong everyone is just trying to help me. This is a great bunch of people on here. I thank each and every one. When this person gets back I will have to make a decision. I value your opinions or I wouldn't have bothered you folks. If this driver hadn't been a good and valued person for so long it would be easy. As it is I feel I owe him my time to speak with him face to face and attempt to get a better sense of where his brain is but I think he is done. Thanks one and all for your help. However this does prove we can help one another.

Art Pfluger

Replied on Sat, Aug 20, 2016 at 08:03 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I have a $50.00 monthly safety performance bonus...if they screw up after a warning I get their attention by getting into their pocketbook....have done this for years it seems to work for me

Replied on Sun, Aug 21, 2016 at 01:35 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. How is his driving record, If he has a bad driving record, meaning to many traffic violations or accidents or even border line of being cancled from your policy you can tell him that your Insurance comapany wont cover him anymore. Then you can get rid of him that way. If you have a good relationship with your insurance agent have them send you a letter of his driving record. (Just in case he wants to see it) stating that they cant insure him because of his driving record. Then I dont think he can get unemployment.

Replied on Sun, Aug 21, 2016 at 01:35 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

How is his driving record, If he has a bad driving record, meaning to many traffic violations or accidents or even border line of being cancled from your policy you can tell him that your Insurance comapany wont cover him anymore. Then you can get rid of him that way. If you have a good relationship with your insurance agent have them send you a letter of his driving record. (Just in case he wants to see it) stating that they cant insure him because of his driving record. Then I dont think he can get unemployment.

Replied on Sun, Aug 21, 2016 at 03:09 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. iT MIGHT BE THE CHEAPEST IN THE LONG RUN TO TERMINATE HIM EVEN THOUGH HE WILL PROBULY COLLECT UNEMPLOMENT. lOST ACCOUNTS AND BUSTED UP EQUIPMENT SHOULD HE WANT TO RETAILIATE FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS WILL BE FAR MORE COSTLY.

Replied on Sun, Aug 21, 2016 at 04:26 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Hi! What about starting to tag the drivers for the fines associated with those. That hits him hard and although it doesn't change the scores being yours, it might wake him up. Just a thought! " Thats the way I cured 2 drivers here. When they started paying their own tickets they got their heads out of their ass.

Replied on Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 08:22 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Well boss what decision did you make, if any ?

Replied on Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 11:43 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I didn't read through the other comments so I may be repeating... BUt if your looking to get rid of him... in the way that'll cause (HIM) to quit then give him all of the tough loads for awhile.. which may just straighten him up... It seems as though he isn't taking heed to any of your warnings so just pile the difficult loads on him... the RICE BRAN... DDG... stuff of that nature... Now, if your looking to keep him and just get him to straigten his act up then you may implement a policy where you give him a few days off.

Replied on Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 11:43 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I didn't read through the other comments so I may be repeating... BUt if your looking to get rid of him... in the way that'll cause (HIM) to quit then give him all of the tough loads for awhile.. which may just straighten him up... It seems as though he isn't taking heed to any of your warnings so just pile the difficult loads on him... the RICE BRAN... DDG... stuff of that nature... Now, if your looking to keep him and just get him to straigten his act up then you may implement a policy where you give him a few days off.

Replied on Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 11:55 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. First thanks for the support and suggestions. I will be putting in place the suggestion of a dollar penalty for infractions. Second with this driver only because he has been with us for a while, we will have a face to face lay it on the table meeting. Third I will in essence fire him with an offer to rehire him in 2 weeks.

Replied on Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 12:05 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. First thanks for the support and suggestions. I will be putting in place the suggestion of a dollar amount penalty for infractions. Second with this driver only because he has been with us for a while, we will have a face to face lay it on the table meeting. Third I will in essence fire him with an offer to rehire him in 2 weeks. I have fear as was said that he will take out his hate on my truck, but hopefully I can get a read in our meeting. I will also make an offer to give him a leave of absence if he just needs to get it together. As I stated, it is hard to find people that want to do this job, so I want to give the person every opportunity to make this work. I will however make it crystal clear that I can terminate him without worrying about him collecting unemployment with his violations. Honestly I think once confronted he will quit. Thanks for everyone's input and caring. Art Pfluger

Replied on Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 12:05 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

First thanks for the support and suggestions. I will be putting in place the suggestion of a dollar amount penalty for infractions. Second with this driver only because he has been with us for a while, we will have a face to face lay it on the table meeting. Third I will in essence fire him with an offer to rehire him in 2 weeks. I have fear as was said that he will take out his hate on my truck, but hopefully I can get a read in our meeting. I will also make an offer to give him a leave of absence if he just needs to get it together. As I stated, it is hard to find people that want to do this job, so I want to give the person every opportunity to make this work. I will however make it crystal clear that I can terminate him without worrying about him collecting unemployment with his violations. Honestly I think once confronted he will quit.
Thanks for everyone's input and caring.

Art Pfluger