Breaking the News About GPS Tracking to Employees
18 Apr 2014Many employees are slow to embrace change — any change. Business owners who have attempted to introduce small changes in safety protocols or even dress codes understand this all too well. In the eyes of many employees, GPS tracking on company vehicles is a change that’s anything but small. However, if you introduce it the right way, you’ll discover that it’s not that difficult at all to get employees to embrace the change as something positive for everyone.
Show Your Hand from the Start
Don’t surprise them with the news after the fact. Let them know it’s going to happen. Give them the facts and allow them an opportunity to air their feelings on the issue. It you hide it from them, or they feel you’re hiding it from them, you might find the plan met with resentment rather than acceptance and compliance.
Accentuate the Positive
Let your employees know all the benefits that GPS tracking means for them and the business, such as these:
- Greater routing efficiency helps them return to their families sooner in the evening.
- Real-time tracking means they can avoid time-wasting traffic jams.
- Fewer phone calls from dispatch asking where you are.
- Proof of location when customer disputes arise.
- Hands-free mileage tracking for less paperwork throughout the day.
- Higher customer retention, which translates to greater job security.
Present the good things GPS tracking means for employees in order to eliminate doubts before they’re even raised.
Offer to Share the Rewards
Don’t be afraid to let employees know that the company benefits in very real cost savings by using GPS tracking. If you really want your employees to embrace GPS fleet tracking, give them incentive to do so by sharing the wealth with them. Offer incentives and bonuses for safe driving and fuel savings to employees.
Set the parameters for employees to receive their share (make it something attainable, you want your employees to be confident they can do it) and pay up according to the agreement you make with employees.
Expect Some Initial Dissent
Dissent is normal when change is addressed. You may find that older employees may be more reluctant to embrace new technology than younger employees who have grown up surrounded by technology in their homes, schools, and for their entertainment. Give them the facts and wait until they see the benefits in action before you expect attitudes to change.
Also remember that the fact that someone is reluctant to embrace GPS tracking technology does not mean they’re doing anything wrong or have anything to hide. Some people are, by nature, suspicious of all things tech. However, once they see GPS tracking in action they generally find that it’s not at all invasive and truly is beneficial.
Setting realistic expectations among employees about GPS tracking from the start will make the introduction and implementation of this new and highly beneficial technology a seamless transition for your business.
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