National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 11-17, 2022 and honors all professional truck drivers. Without these 3.6 million individuals, almost every part of our daily lives wouldn't be possible.
National Trucking Week in Canada is celebrated September 4-10, 2022.
2022 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Ideas
Recognizing and celebrating your truck drivers – and for that matter, every employee — should be a year-round effort. If you’re waiting for a particular week or day of the year to show your appreciation, you need to reconsider your recognition efforts.
However, Truck Driver Appreciation Week does provide an excellent opportunity to go above and beyond for those who give your company their all. The following three tips are designed specifically with them in mind.
1. Thank a Truck Driver
As simple as it is powerful, sincerely expressing your gratitude is one of the most effective ways you can connect with, inspire, and thank your employees for their hard work and dedication. If possible, hand write thank you notes for your drivers. Be certain to personalize each message, and cite specific reasons why you appreciate each employee.
Why Write a Thank You Note?
- Employees see their hard work is noticed
- The positive actions you praise are further reinforced
- You are encouraging employees to take other desirable actions
- You improve the bond between employee and employer
2. Include Truck Drivers' Families
Your drivers spend countless hours on the road, and that’s valuable time they could have spent with their partners, children, and friends. Help them make the most of their precious time by bringing their families into the mix!
While this can be accomplished in many ways, here are a few of the most effective:
Tickets to Family-Friendly Events
Give your employees rewards they can share with their loved ones. Some great ideas include tickets to family-friendly activities – such as sporting events, amusement parks, and the movies – or even a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
Host Your Own Family Social Event
Host a family fun night! Invite your employees and their families to take part in a night filled with festivities, all compliments of their employer. You can set up games and award prizes, run a raffle, provide local entertainment, offer photo opportunities, and serve great food.
Send a Gift or Personalized Message
Send a gift and personalized message to your employee’s family. Keep in mind, loved ones play a very important role in how your employees view their jobs. In addition to thanking their family for the role they play, you should also express how valuable their partner, parent, or even child is to your business. This will help improve your relationship with both the employee and their family. It’s a win-win.
3. Reward Your Drivers
When it comes to making the most significant impact, it’s imperative that you give your employees what they really want. How can you make this a reality? Allow your employees to choose an award of their liking!
Use a Values-Based Incentive Point System
The best way to accomplish this is by utilizing a values-based incentive point system that allows for recognition during both special events – like National Truck Driver Appreciation Week – as well as day-to-day recognition. Employees are rewarded with a predetermined amount of points, which they can then redeem for the award of their choice.
Future NTDAW Dates:
September 10-16, 2023
September 15-21, 2024
September 14-20, 2025
September 13-19, 2026
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