Dispelling The Big Brother Myth - Copy

Many fleet owners have reservations about implementing GPS tracking systems in their vehicles.

While these systems are a good decision for business operations and costs, fleet owners still hold back due to the potential of a negative reaction from employees. This fear comes from a “big brother” mentality in which some people believe installing fleet management software sends a message that employees can't be trusted.

In reality, most fleet drivers do not mind the presence of a GPS tracking unit in their vehicles, because it protects them in a multitude of ways. And often times it’s the drivers with the poorest performance that display displeasure with installing GPS tracking software.

Explaining the Importance of GPS Monitoring
The main objection drivers seem to have with monitoring stems from a misinterpretation of how real-time monitoring works or what a fleet company does with the information.

By simply explaining the uses of GPS tracking software, fleet managers and drivers will have a better understanding of how beneficial the technology is to the entire organization.

Establishing Incentives With GPS Software
The issue with the “big brother” mentality is that it carries the association that it’s a punishment. However, fleet managers can use the information from GPS tracking to create quantifiable goals that come with incentives for drivers. Having a bonus program based on safe driving behavior, productivity or efficiency can be easily accomplished because of this objective method to measure driver performance.

Additional Benefits of GPS Tracking

• Traffic violations may be able to be contested because GPS software provides a form of defense.
   
• In the event there’s a dispute between the fleet company and its customer, GPS tracking protects drivers by confirming they were at a customer site during a specific time period.
   
• Real-time tracking enables dispatch to identify which drivers are closest to a location in the event of an emergency situation.
   
• Fleet managers are able to stay on top of vehicle maintenance by receiving diagnostic reports that notify if repairs are needed, which saves vehicle downtime.
   
• Driver safety is enhanced because dispatch is able to see where a vehicle is located and able to send for assistance to an exact location if a driver is stranded or in any danger.

Maximizing Fleet Resources, Not Invading Privacy
Privacy is a sensitive issue. That’s why it’s important to present the topic of GPS tracking in a candid and straightforward way.

Displaying clear guidelines on how the technology will be used and what metrics will be measured gives employees insight into the way the business is managed. And this information is essential for the company to know how its assets are being used and how employees spend their time on the job.

Privacy must be balanced with accountability, and employees have a responsibility to use company assets in a way that shows regard for the well-being of the business. Responsible drivers are comfortable with finding methods to work smarter and improve their performance. Displaying this information can help employees see that GPS tracking is a tool they can use to enhance their work, rather than something that invades their privacy.

GPS Tracking Provides a Safety Net
Companies don’t install GPS tracking software to spy on employees and watch their every movement. This technology is added as a means to save time.

There simply isn’t enough time in the day to watch over the movement of every vehicle in a fleet. Real-time monitoring simply provides a way for fleet managers to set up goals and leave the devices alone; only returning if there is a reporting issue or emergency situation.

Much like a car alarm, the system is only there to send an alert if there is a problem.

Improving Business
Using real-time monitoring provides a substantial return on investment because the decrease in operating costs provides more profitability, which is in the best interest of everyone in the organization.

The better the shape of the business, the higher job security increases for employees and the greater likelihood there is for improved pay and benefits. GPS tracking is a way to help mobile staff work smarter, provide valuable insights, and allocate resources in a more effective manner. And all of this information puts the company in a better position than its competition.