It is no secret there is a lot of turnover among truck driving jobs. This has subsided a bit recently with market conditions, but it remains much higher when compared to other jobs. 

I have seen many drivers come and go over the years and based on those experiences, I think it would be helpful to share thoughts on how to – and not to – leave a company.

Speak to your manager

As a former recruiter, I’d encourage my drivers to come to me with their problems instead of going to other companies. Sometimes an issue can be fixed, sometimes it can’t. Either way, you want to have that conversation, and it may turn out you don’t have to leave your company after all.

If you are determined to leave your company, you need to think about what is next. This doesn’t have to be a signed contract, but make sure you are aware of the job market. 

I had one industry friend confidently enter the job market after leaving his company, and then was unable to find work for six-plus weeks. My suggestion is to not accept the other position until you talk to your manager, as your current job may be salvageable.

Give proper notice

This is one that is extremely important and does not often happen. If you are going to a good company, they should appreciate that you want to leave your current company on a positive note. 

Odds are, they have some flexibility for your start date and if they really want you, delaying your start by a week or two shouldn’t impact anything. If a company encourages you not to give proper notice to the company you’re leaving, that is a red flag. 

At least two weeks is the norm, though I would encourage you to talk to your existing manager about this. Let them know that you can stay on a little longer if required to help bridge the gap for your replacement. 

Alternatively, if they don’t have much work and your new company can take you earlier, all parties win. I know a lot of drivers are worried that if they give two weeks’ or more notice that the work will dry up or they will be given some unfavorable loads. 

Discuss this concern with your manager and if you get a bad feeling, you can leave earlier.  Ideally, they’ll treat you with the same respect that you treat them.

Discuss details of final pay

Reach out to payroll to learn the details of your final pay. Was there a holdback when you started? How much vacation pay are you owed? When will your final pay be deposited and when will your Record of Employment (ROE) be filed? 

It is best to figure out the answer to these questions while you still work there and can easily reach people that can help. Some companies will try to hold back some of your pay if you don’t return company items (even if they are small/inexpensive). Whenever you do return company items, make sure that there is a record of it. 

Be honest

If there is an exit interview, give honest feedback. If your experience was largely negative, make sure to include some positive experiences. 

Highlight some people that made a difference during your time there. Give your former employer the tools and information to make their workplace better for the next professional driver. 

You want to be able to leave the door open for a return, as the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Transportation is a small industry, and you never know when you will cross paths with someone again. 

Even if you have no intention of ever returning to that specific company, perhaps the dispatcher or ops manager switches companies, and you find yourself on their blacklist elsewhere over how you left.

As tempting as it can be to go down swinging, leaving a company on professional terms says a lot about a person and will bode well for future opportunities.