COVID-19’s Impact on Transportation and Gender Diversity by Brian Everett, Editorial Director

COVID-19’s Impact on Transportation and Gender Diversity

Brian Everett, ABC Group Editorial Director and Publisher Redefining the Road magazine

What an unusual year this has been! The threat of COVID-19, dramatic changes in buyer behavior and an unusual economy have placed new pressures on transportation organizations to focus on keeping core transportation systems operational, supply chains nimble and workforces safe.

Long-term, companies are looking to strike a balance between reducing operations and providing enough capacity for key workers to practice social distancing and ensure workplace safety. Investment programs may need to be replanned and reprioritized in light of decreased revenue. Volatile capacity and pricing add an additional layer of complexity.

When you add in working from home due to safety concerns – while under quarantine with children – life quickly gets even more complicated.

Fortunately, many companies are working closely with their workforces to support valued employees as they navigate life at the intersection of working from home and parenting. In fact, several of this year’s Top Companies for Women to Work For in Transportation are doing just that.

Many of the companies on this year’s list are focused on these factors:

• Corporate culture supportive of gender diversity • Flexible hours/work requirements which help employees to meet family needs, personal obligations and life responsibilities – especially in these strange times of working from home and virtual classrooms • Competitive compensation/benefits for more educated women with specific training and skill sets • Training, continued education and development, including tuition reimbursement, professional training and attending events like Women In Trucking’s virtual Accelerate!

Conference & Expo • Well-maintained/safe equipment and facilities to continue to attract more female professional drivers to this traditionally male role

As the editorial team at Redefining the Road magazine rolls out our third annual list of the Top Companies for Women to Work For, these are the characteristics we looked for in the nominations received.

In this unusual year, we are impressed with what these progressive companies are doing to create more gender diversity in their workforce — and continue to encourage other companies to follow their lead. Keep up the good work!

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