The Consequences of Ghosting Your Employer in the Trucking Industry
What is Ghosting and Why is it Dangerous for Truck Drivers?
Ghosting is the act of suddenly disappearing or leaving a job without proper notice. It’s a common phenomenon that is happening not just in the trucking industry, but in all industries. However, for truck drivers, ghosting can have serious consequences that could impact their future employment opportunities in the industry.
How Ghosting Affects Your Professional Driving Record
When a driver applies at a new company, they need to provide 10 years of work history, which is a DOT requirement. The recruiter will run background checks on the driver’s history, including their Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), PSP report, criminal background, and DAC report. A DAC report is a comprehensive report of a truck driver’s work history, which is supplied by previous employers.
If you’re a truck driver with a history of ghosting your employer, the DAC report will show those patterns of behavior.
Patterns of Behavior
When trucking recruiters go through the driver application, they look for patterns of behavior. If a driver has had several jobs in a short period, the recruiter will notice and ask questions. If the driver tries to cover up their job history, it will show up in their DAC report. Recruiters also look at the reason the driver gave for leaving their previous employer. If the driver is constantly blaming others and not taking personal accountability, it will raise red flags and make them look unreliable.
Commitment to a New Job
When a driver commits to a new job, the company will schedule them for orientation. They will receive an offer letter in writing, and everything is clearly outlined, so there shouldn’t be any surprises. The company will also arrange rental cars, hotel rooms, and food vouchers for the driver.
However, if the driver decides to ghost their new employer, it will have serious consequences. The company has invested time and resources into the driver, and when they don’t show up, it creates a significant inconvenience. Furthermore, it will reflect poorly on the driver’s professional driving record, making it harder for them to find employment in the future.
Professional truck drivers understand there are serious consequences to ghosting their employer.
Serious Consequences on Your Driving Record
Ghosting your employer in the trucking industry can come back to haunt you. It affects your professional driving record and makes it harder for you to find employment in the future. Drivers need to take personal accountability and think carefully before making a decision to leave their job.
Listen To The Driven Too Far Trucking Podcast
If you’re a truck driver, and you’re considering leaving your job, it’s essential to talk to your employer and give proper notice. Your professional driving record is important, and ghosting can have negative consequences that could impact your future employment opportunities. Listen to the Driven Too Far Trucking Podcast now or keep reading. After listening, you may think twice about ghosting your employer. Here are a few more tips for truck drivers you may want to consider.
Tips for Truck Drivers
- Be honest and transparent about your job history
- Take personal accountability for your actions
- Give proper notice before leaving your job
- Consider all the consequences before making a decision
Something To Consider
- Ghosting is the act of suddenly leaving a job without proper notice
- 10 years of work history is a DOT requirement for truck drivers
- Background checks, including DAC reports, are run on drivers when they apply for a new job
- Patterns of behavior and personal accountability are important factors in driver applications
- Companies invest time and resources into drivers, and ghosting creates significant inconvenience
Before Leaving Your Trucking Company
- Talk to your employer before leaving your job
- Consider all the consequences of ghosting
- Be honest and transparent about your job history
- Take personal accountability for your actions
- Give proper notice before leaving your job
Do it right. Consider the above tips before ghosting your employer. You are in charge of your career. It’s critical you play an active role in your success which also includes be honest and accurate on your driver applications.
The Consequences of Inaccurate Driver Applications
Andrew Winkler, General Manager of Chief Carriers, highlights that it is not uncommon for drivers to make mistakes on their employment dates when listing several years of jobs. He mentions that recruiters typically give grace to drivers who make mistakes like this. However, if a driver is caught trying to cover up a pattern of behavior, such as having many jobs in a short amount of time, this could negatively impact their chances of getting hired.
Not Taking Personal Accountability
Winkler mentions that a red flag for employers is when a driver consistently blames others for their actions and doesn’t take personal accountability. This type of behavior can be seen on the driver’s application or DAC report.
Failing to Show Up to Orientation
Winkler shares his experience with drivers who commit to a new job, complete the orientation process and then fail to show up. He mentions that this can be a waste of time and resources for the employer, as they have already made arrangements for the driver’s hotel, rental car, and other necessities. He also mentions that not communicating with the employer is disrespectful and unprofessional.
Drive-A-Check Report
Andrew Winkler stresses the importance of a driver’s DAC (Drive-A-Check) report. DAC reports are not limited by date or time and can contain information about a driver’s employment history for as long as they’ve been driving. Recruiters use these reports to verify a driver’s character and past employment and to see if they were eligible for rehire at previous companies.
Drivers who communicate with their carriers and leave on good terms are more likely to have a positive DAC report, while those who leave without communicating can have negative marks on their
The Importance of Checking Your DAC Report
When it comes to the trucking industry, your DAC report holds a lot of weight. Recruiters use this report to verify your past employment and determine if you’re a good fit for their company.
It’s essential to know what’s on your DAC report and to keep it up-to-date and accurate. In this section, we’ll go over the importance of checking your DAC report and what you can do to ensure it’s accurate.
What is a DAC Report?
A DAC (Driver Assessment and Compliance) report is a comprehensive report of a truck driver’s employment and driving history.
This report is maintained by the company HireRight and contains information such as:
- Employment dates
- Return of truck
- Accidents or incidents
- Drug or alcohol issues
Why Check Your DAC Report?
There are several reasons why it’s important to check your DAC report:
- To see what information is on your record
- To ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date
- To know if there are any red flags that could prevent you from getting a new job
- To dispute any inaccuracies or false information
How to Check Your DAC Report
Checking your DAC report is easy and free. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the HireRight website
- Click on the “Frequently Asked Questions” section
- Follow the instructions to get a free copy of your DAC report
It’s important to check your DAC report at least once a year to make sure the information is accurate. If there are any inaccuracies or false information, you can reach out to the carrier and ask for it to be updated or removed.
Protect Yourself as a Professional Driver
Checking your DAC report is an important part of the trucking industry. It gives recruiters an idea of your employment and driving history, and it’s crucial to know what information is on your report. To ensure the information is accurate, make sure to check your DAC report at least once a year.
Don’t wait, go check your DAC report today! Get a free copy of your report from the HireRight website and make sure your employees driving history is accurate. By taking the time to check your report, you’re taking control of your career and ensuring you have the best chance at landing your dream job in the trucking industry.
Winkler’s advice on not ghosting your employer is especially important in the trucking industry. If a driver leaves without telling their employer, it can be damaging to their DAC report and prevent them from getting another job. Being professional and communicating with your employer are key to a successful career in the trucking industry. It’s essential to keep your DAC report up-to-date and accurate, so employers know they can trust you. Taking the time to check your DAC report is a good practice and helps keep you on the path to success in trucking.
Making sure your DAC report is up-to-date and accurate is essential for finding new employment opportunities in the trucking industry. Winkler’s advice serves as a reminder that being professional and communicating with your carrier can have a positive impact on your career. It’s important to check your DAC report regularly to make sure the information is accurate, so you can get the job you’re looking for.
By not ghosting your employer and taking the time to check your DAC report, you’re doing yourself a favor and making sure you have a successful future in the trucking industry.
