Van Driving & Mental Health

                With rumours circulating that up to 15% of the UK’s van drivers could quit the industry by the end of 2022, we’ve been finding out why that is. GoCompare conducted a survey in 2021 and found that as many as 44,000 are preparing to leave their current job in search of more favourable conditions.

                During the pandemic, a lot of industries were hit hard by forced closures, notably the hospitality, travel, entertainment and retail sectors. These people had to find other jobs, and with online shopping increasing while people worked from home more, there was a glut of delivery driver jobs available. Online food shopping alone increased by 94%, so that’s almost double the deliveries! As restrictions ease and people return to the office, combined with the re-opening of sectors which some of these new van drivers previously worked in, we’re seeing a whole herd of van drivers leaving the industry in search of pastures new (or old – it depends on your point of view).

   Whilst some saw becoming a van driver as a quick fix or an easy job to pay the bills while we waited for the world to return to normal, others saw it as an opportunity to make a permanent change. For example, a lot of chefs made the switch to driving to reduce stress and work shorter hours. So, what’s changed and why are people leaving the industry again now, if van driving is so much easier and less stressful than other jobs? The truth is van driving is hard at times, like many other careers.

                             Workers in the van driving industry have reported negative behaviour from other road users, poor working conditions, work-related stress and loneliness. In fact, delivery driving is the most likely occupation to suffer from loneliness. Roughly 50% of all drivers who reported suffering with loneliness said that throughout an entire working day, they often would not have a single non-work-related conversation. A further half of all delivery drivers reported that they were given unrealistic deadlines and targets, putting them under immense pressure, contributing to work-related stress.

                So next time you see a van driver out on the road or delivering to your house, give them a smile and ask them how their day is going. Just don’t keep them talking too long because they’re probably already checking the clock to make sure they’re on time for the next drop still!