By Al Muskewitz

The number of women drivers in the trucking industry is growing, perhaps not at as fast enough pace for some but growing nonetheless, and several companies have been recognized recently for their commitment to gender equity.

Schneider has landed on Forbes’ third annual list of companies that enact practices and policies that directly place women at the center of the services they provide.

More than 75,000 U.S. employees – more than half of whom were women – from a variety of industries participated in an independent survey that revealed their experiences in the workplace. Participants assessed their companies according to four criteria – general working conditions, topics relevant to women, indirect recommendations (women only) and diversity among top executives.

Schneider was among six transportation and logistics companies on the Forbes’ list of 300 Best Employers for Women, one of only two directly tied to trucking. The Wisconsin-based carrier is among Forbes’ top 500 best employers for diversity. 

“We’re honored to be recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Employers for Women,” Schneider vice president of human resources Angela Fish said. “Our objective continues to be to promote diversity, inclusion and equality at all levels in the workplace and cultivate an environment where associates are included, respected and have the opportunity to grow and succeed. It’s very rewarded to see the effects of our efforts reflected through the results of this survey.”

Recent surveys indicate women make up almost 11 percent of the driver population nationwide. That’s up from about three percent just 10 years ago.

“I do think more women are getting involved in trucking industry,” said April Coolidge, a driver with Walmart Logistics and one of four women on this term’s prestigious ATA America’s Road Team told Wright Media in a recent interview. “When I’m out on the road and I’m in the truck stops I’m seeing more women than I’ve seen before and that makes me proud. 

“I would hope that having representation we have on the America’s Road Team this year … shows this is an industry and a field that a woman can achieve at. For many years, it has been a male-dominated industry, but women are out here and we’re doing the job and we’re being very successful out here. It’s not a life for everybody – a man or a woman – but it’s a great job and you’re your own boss out here and the income potential is phenomenal.”

Kellylynn McLaughlin was drawn to Schneider as a relatively new driver five years ago because of the company’s safety strong record and she has come to appreciate the way the company embraces diversity.

Her supervisors worked with her to find a job configuration that accommodated her home and parenting obligations. She made several warmly welcomed visits to the company headquarters to learn more about its operations, where she was encouraged to think outside the box and participate in programs to become a better driver and develop leadership skills. The company also has a strong association with Women In Trucking.

Later, her male counterparts encouraged her to become a driver trainer when she wasn’t convinced she had the skills to do so. Now, in addition to driving her own routes, she trains drivers, both male and female, on the Schneider Way without much incident. On the few occasions she did feel harassed, a male colleague stepped up to her defense.

“The culture on the driver side has always been excellent,” McLaughlin told Wright Media. “Everything is just … fair, I think is the best way to put it.

“Schneider has really embraced this collaboration with Women In Trucking. I think that speaks volumes for their inclusion of women in this industry. I can’t say enough about how kind they’ve been to me and other women in the industry, promoting our opportunities and celebrating our successes and being a leader in this industry of sharing the word that this is a great place for women to work.”

Al Muskewitz is the Editor of Wright Media. He can be reached at musky@wrightmediacorp.com

Click here for available truck driving jobs at Schneider.