Women in Trucking: Tips and Best Practices for Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is a challenge for every trucker in a time when resources are scarce and the stakes are higher than ever. The demand for materials to be moved continues to rise no matter what's going on in the world. At at the same time, the prices of everyday items also continue to rise, giving you an opportunity to generate a higher income.

The trouble is that life on the road doesn't lend itself well to managing family responsibilities. That's doubly true for women in trucking, as the industry falls short in accommodating the unique obstacles they face.

For example, frequent schedule changes and unpredictable route assignments make it difficult to plan must-haves like childcare and want-to-haves like family vacations. That‚Äôs not to say men are immune to these sorts of issues, but for better or worse, women still take on the lion's share of tasks related to child-rearing.

Is finding balance between work and family possible when you are one of the 260,000+ women in the trucking industry? And although it's not easy, it can be done.

After all, there are many successful, incredible, and inspiring women on the road proving this very fact every single day. We see you and thank you.

New Obstacles Caused by the COVID Pandemic

COVID has caused shifts in nearly every aspect of daily life, regardless of where and how you work. Unfortunately, for women in trucking, the changes have created additional obstacles to balancing work and family.

Managing children's education, activities, and general supervision was already difficult for trucker moms pre-pandemic. Now that childcare services have limited their hours - if they are open at all - and many schools have switched to a virtual model, overcoming that challenge is exponentially more complex.

There is also the question of being exposed to COVID while on the road. After all, you are stopping in at unfamiliar facilities that have dozens of visitors every day. Some female truckers have started to question whether brief visits back home are worth the risk of passing the virus on to their families.

Because of COVID, moms who are accustomed to bringing kids on the road when school is out are reconsidering, and those who often have their spouses along for the ride are questioning whether these routines still make sense.

Finally, women in trucking have found that COVID makes securing necessities like food more difficult than ever. Many facilities are closed - including restaurants - and it has become less common for distribution centers and warehouses to allow restroom access.

Can these obstacles be overcome? Most women in trucking say yes, but they need to do a lot of extra planning in order to be successful. They also note that changes in the availability of childcare or losing the option to have family members join trips can tip the scales when it comes to work/life balance.

The good news is that COVID won't last forever - and neither will any of the concessions you have to make in the interest of COVID-related safety.

Tips and Best Practices for Finding Balance

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to finding balance between your home life and your career.

After all, everyone's situation is a little different. However, some best practices are universal, and you can customize your strategy based on your unique needs. These four suggestions can go a long way when it comes to creating work/life balance.

Leverage technology to increase quality time

You don't have to miss out just because you aren't home. Video chat technology isn't a new addition to mobile devices, but the quality and features have advanced considerably since COVID made in-person interactions unsafe. You now have more choices - many of them at no charge - to see your loved ones face-to-face whenever you want.

Here are a few ideas:

Use apps like FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype to keep family connections strong
Plan digital date nights with your partner
Schedule video conferences with your children's teachers, coaches, and healthcare providers
Join meals and participate in bedtime routines virtually

Get to know the leaders in this space

Decades ago, you might not have been in good company as a woman in trucking, but now there is a whole community of female drivers who are dedicated to transforming the industry. Whether you are looking for inspiration, camaraderie, or simply to know that others have been where you are, these leaders and social media influences can help.

What's important to remember is that no matter what your background, age, or family situation looks like, there are other women like you on the road. You are never alone.

Create your community and build your network.

Connect with other women in trucking and partner with associations dedicated to supporting women in the trucking industry. This gives you access to tools and resources specifically designed for truckers like you. More importantly, you have the opportunity to trade tips, tricks, and best practices with others facing the same obstacles. That sort of support is invaluable when finding balance between home and work.

Some of the available networks include:

There are also valuable resources within larger industry organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, the Truckload Carriers Association, Trucker Buddy, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). Each has a slightly different area of focus, but all offer opportunities for learning and development.

Whether you are interested in increasing awareness of the issues facing women in the industry, advocating for change, or encouraging young women to explore trucking as a career, there is a group or organization where you can make critical contributions.

Choose carriers that focus on women in trucking

Just because the industry wasn't built for the needs of female drivers doesn't mean it can't evolve. Some carriers are encouraging women to enter the world of trucking with special programs tailored to the unique challenges you face - for example, self-defense classes, scheduling flexibility, tuition assistance, dedicated routes, and mentoring programs.

There are also employers who are putting extra care into training to ensure that women have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to get the job done safely. For example, they are developing new sexual harassment awareness curriculums, adding time in the simulator, and creating internal support groups that are specifically designed for women getting started in the industry.

The carrier you choose plays an important role in overcoming the obstacles you face as you move towards achieving the work/life balance that's right for you.

TrueNorth Makes Balance a Priority

There are plenty of carriers that will help you get on the road, but all carriers are not equal when it comes to work/life balance. TrueNorth was created by a family of owner-operators, and our founding values remain a priority today.

At TrueNorth, we don't just care for the driver. We care for the entire family. After all, partners, spouses, and children play a huge role in every driver's success. They are the cheerleaders that give drivers their purpose - and they are the ones holding down the fort while drivers keep America moving.

Other relevant articles:

Women in Trucking: 6 Important Safety Tips

Women in Trucking: An Overview

Women in Trucking: 8 Ways For Men to be Allies

February 14, 2022