5 Ways To Overcome Big Brother Fears About GPS Fleet Tracking

"Big Brother is watching you" - a well-known expression ever since the TV show started. From there it's been commonly used for any situation where people feel their privacy being threatened or that they're being watched too closely.

GPS fleet tracking can feel like one of these situations in life. Working for a business with a fleet and using a vehicle for work every day, it might be daunting for your employees to learn that GPS tracking is being introduced.

There are many great reasons you as a business owner would want to introduce GPS fleet tracking, the least of which is being a "Big Brother" to your employees. You need to stay competitive in the current economic climate and operating a fleet is one of the biggest expenses in your business. Hence every vehicle needs to be used efficiently to reduce costs and maximise profit.

But how do you explain the reasons to your employees and overcome the question of privacy? Here are five ways to overcome "Big Brother" fears about GPS fleet tracking:

1. Ensure privacy

Privacy is the biggest issue when implementing GPS tracking. That's why it's important to focus on it and present the topic in a truthful and straightforward way. Communicate clearly that you're not installing GPS fleet tracking software to spy on your employees but to help them be more efficient. Even if you wanted to, there's simply not enough time in the day to watch over the movement of every vehicle in the fleet. Real-time monitoring provides a way for fleet managers to set up reports and alerts to be informed if there is a reporting issue or emergency situation as well as working more efficiently.

Privacy is one thing but accountability is another. It is the responsibility of your employees to use company assets in the best interest of the business. Responsible drivers should be open to finding ways to improve and work smarter. Displaying this information can help employees see that GPS tracking can actually help enhance their work, rather than invading their privacy.

2. Communicate openly

Keep everyone fully informed about the process, from installing the GPS tracking units in the fleet through to how the vehicles will be monitored. Make your employees familiar with the system showing them how and which information will be tracked. Share reports created by the system with your staff members and show transparency about the details the system collects to create trust. Invite your team to ask questions and provide a clear feedback channel for them to do so at all times.

3. Explain Why

Develop and communicate a company policy outlining how the tracking data will be handled and used in the business. Ensure that both drivers and managers clearly understand what the software does and doesn't do as well as the reasons for and benefits of implementing the GPS tracking system. It can improve efficiency, increase productivity and billable time, allow you to implement measurable KPIs, improve customer service and reduce costs.

4. Highlight driver benefits

There's actually a whole bunch of great benefits for drivers when using a GPS fleet tracking system.

It saves time. Electronic timesheets are now generated by the system saving drivers having to complete time-consuming paper forms. Routes and customer visits can be planned more efficiently decreasing time spent in traffic on busy roads.

It keeps them safe. Working in remote areas can be daunting ? what if their vehicle breaks down and they've got no way of letting people know? Satellite tracking has your drivers' backs in regions without phone coverage. GPS tracking also enables you to identify at-risk driver behaviour such as speeding, harsh cornering or braking which could end up saving a driver's life.

It makes their lives easier. The two-way messaging in-cab terminal simplifies communication to the back office and enables drivers to collect and submit delivery and job complete confirmations and signatures right from the field.

Showing your drivers how to utilise the software along with these benefits can help take away the fear factor and demonstrates your commitment to supporting them through the changes.

5. Focus on fairness & establish incentives

The vast majority of employees do their job honestly and to the best of their ability. Reassure your team that the technology improves the efficiency of the whole business without having much direct impact on their working day and that the system brings parity and fairness for all.

GPS fleet tracking can also be used to set up KPI's that come with incentives for drivers. Set up a bonus program based on safe driving behaviour, productivity or efficiency. These targets can be easily set up and adjusted, providing you with a fair and objective way of managing driver behaviour.