School Bus Driver Recruitment & Retention

When Drivers & Attendants Are Asked… Support & Recognition Management that cares… Wages & Benefits If you could change one thing about your work, what would it be?

3 Pieces to the Puzzle Caring Management Wage Support & Recognition & Benefits Support & Recognition

Puzzle Pieces Enhance the Invite Before you can attract good people you must have a good place to work! Word of mouth spreads fast – good and bad. Examine your reputation. How do you stack up with local competitors? Who are your competitors for local employees?

Recruitment Social Media Podcasts PSAs Local Radio and TV live spots Job Fairs Local newspaper articles Local festivals, fairs and celebrations Referral incentives Open House

Program Support Support & Recognition Advocacy – hang on the wall? Student Management process Immediate consequences Outcomes communicated to employee(s) in timely manner System involvement & respect HR processes EAP accessibility

Staff Recognitions & Incentives Local media & school newsletter Memorial Awards Driver & Attendant of the Year awards Attendance incentives – never zero Accident free incentives Public “thank you” Appreciation week activities – get the school involved!

Professional Investments in People Support & Recognition Professional Investments in People Training is important Cutting edge tools Computer hardware, software etc. Conference attendance Roadeo competition Committee inclusion

Psycho-Emotional Aspects Management That Cares… Psycho-Emotional Aspects How do they FEEL about their job? How are they treated? What is the “yeah but” for your employees? Create “family pride” Charity projects Picnics Raffles & contests Cook-offs

Professional Environments Management That Cares… Professional Environments Honest look at the bus garage and transportation facility Would you schedule a Board of Education meeting there? Condition of equipment provided Honest assessment of department management philosophies

Management Balance – Interpersonal Skills Management That Cares… Management Balance – Interpersonal Skills Transportation is all heart Hire for people skills and train the rest Balance of skills Structure and people skills Care Manners & respect Listen to the noise

Payroll & Hours Wages & Benefits Wage considerations – are you competitive? Are there opportunities to extend hours? Combine jobs – janitors, cafeteria staff & monitors, classroom aides, etc. Partners within the community Day Cares & Preschools Shared services Management, maintenance, support staff etc. Mid-day trip sub-contracts

Benefits Wages & Benefits Re-examine the thresholds for receiving benefits “Sweeten the deal” somehow for those who are not able to receive benefits Extra personal day, etc. What is important or meaningful to THEM? EAP programs Local vendor discounts Employee Day Care service Flu Shot Clinics

Cost of High Turnover Rates What is your turnover rate? What does it cost to train and administer a new hire? What if you were able to use that money to enhance wages and benefits?

Control Absentee Rates Incentives Consequences Have a policy and follow it fairly Let them know what their rate is – quarterly Set a goal – communicate the expectation

Summary Review and Assess the following: Support Levels Overall Recognition Wage Levels, Benefits And Strategies For Both Seek balance in management and people skills Manage absenteeism The “Yeah But…”

Build It And They Will Come! Thank You! Kathleen A. Furneaux CDPT – SNT Pupil Transportation Safety Institute 10 Adler Drive, Suite 102 East Syracuse, New York 13057 800-836-2210