The transport sector is one of Lithuania’s largest employers and a leader in exports. Yet behind the numbers lies a deeply rooted issue, rarely voiced openly: a profound lack of trust between employers and drivers. It’s as if the industry is divided into two camps, each blaming the other for every conceivable problem. Some see exploitation, others see irresponsibility. This adversarial dynamic threatens not only employee wellbeing but the sustainability of the entire sector.
Working at DasWork – a company positioned daily between these two sides – we see the reality up close. Today, we want to talk not about conflict, but about opportunity. About the fact that a partnership between employer and driver isn’t just a nice idea – it’s a prerequisite for a successful business.
Stereotypes: the invisible burden on the sector
We’ve all heard phrases that have become clichés: “All employers are hustlers who pay less than promised,” or “All drivers are drunks, always looking for a way out of work.” These stereotypes have developed over decades. And even though they don’t reflect reality, they remain deeply entrenched.
It is exactly these stereotypes that create the first barrier between the employer and the driver. If an employer expects problems from the start, they won’t offer trust. If a driver expects exploitation, they will immediately defend. In such a situation, even the best processes don’t work, because the foundation of trust is destroyed before work even begins.
On the other hand, when stereotypes are acknowledged and consciously changed, completely new possibilities for collaboration open up. And this is precisely what the transport market needs today.
Business cannot exist without people, and work cannot exist without business
Transport companies don’t operate themselves. They are driven by people – drivers, dispatchers, managers. But their work becomes valuable only when there is a structure that organizes, supports, and administers the entire system. In other words, we simply cannot survive without one another.
This is not idealism, but practical reality. If a driver wants stable income, a clear schedule, and respect – they must work with a responsible employer. If an employer wants a motivated, responsible and professional employee – they must behave in such a way that people would want to work for them. This cycle can be destructive – but it can also be creative.
What employers can do – and why it makes sense
When we talk about change, the most important thing is to start with ourselves. Employers must understand that working conditions are not costs – they are investments. Yes, newer trucks, proper accommodation, salaries paid on time, transparent bonus systems cost money. But they generate invaluable value – loyalty.
Even more important is the employer’s attitude toward the employee. We are all human, and each one of us needs to feel respected, heard, and trusted, with the opportunity to talk and to solve problems. Respect, understanding and trust – that is the foundation on which not only good working conditions, but solid, long‑term relationships are built.
How much does employee turnover cost? How much time is lost in training new people, correcting mistakes, sorting out conflicts with clients? And how much value is created by a person who has worked with you for five years, knows the routes, understands the client’s specifics, works responsibly and becomes your company’s face?
Loyalty doesn’t arise by itself. It is born where there is respect, openness and transparency. An employer who communicates clearly, keeps promises and acts humanely–sooner or later builds around them a strong team. And it is exactly such teams that make the difference in today’s competitive market.
What drivers can do – and how it changes their position
A driver’s job is responsible, demanding both physically and emotionally. But at the same time, it is one of the most important “customer‑service” points of the company. The client evaluates the company based on the driver they meet.
Therefore, professionalism is the driver’s superpower. Being punctual. Filling out documents neatly. Communicating politely. Reporting problems in advance. Doing your job so well that the client wants to work only with you. When a driver acts professionally, they earn not only respect, but negotiating power.
Often the question is asked: “How can a driver secure better working conditions?” The answer is simple – through their behavior. If your work earns trust, it becomes easier for the employer to defend you in front of the client, easier to substantiate your expectations for better pay or schedule. And this is not theory – it’s confirmed practice in our daily work.
“DasWork” experience: when you talk – solutions follow
DasWork is not just an agency. We are a bridge between two worlds. Our mission is not only to connect employers and employees, but to help them understand each other. Our team sees every day how communication changes results.
When a driver behaves professionally and the client notices it, it becomes much easier for us to justify their requests. When a client treats the driver with respect, the driver reciprocates with responsibility. When both sides understand each other – conflicts become fewer, and trust becomes greater.
This is a slow process. Sometimes it is difficult. Sometimes we have to listen to complaints from both sides. But when you manage to create a relationship – the results speak for themselves. Such teams want to work together for a long time; such relationships become the foundation of business growth.
Role of the state and trade unions: encouraging rather than just regulating
The future of the transport sector depends not only on employers or drivers. State institutions and trade unions also have an important role to play. However, their goal should not only be to check or punish – but to promote collaboration, educate, and initiate dialogue.
The state could support training for employers on ethical personnel management. Trade unions could organize meetings where drivers and company representatives can discuss issues openly – not just blame one another. Such actions would build a healthy sector culture and eventually reduce conflicts.
What a sector dominated by partnership would look like
The vision is clear. A sector where:
- Employers value their teams – not just their machinery.
- Drivers feel heard and valued.
- Conflicts are resolved by conversation – not suspicion.
- Clients receive the highest quality service because it is delivered by motivated people.
This is not idealism. It is the future we can achieve if we take the first steps today. And these steps don’t necessarily have to be big – sometimes change begins with something simple: “Ask your driver how they are feeling” or “Thank the person who did the job well.”
We invite you to partnership – not just employment
DasWork invites all participants in the sector – employers, drivers, companies, institutions – to rethink what successful cooperation means. Our goal is not just to sort out documents or to perform recruitment. Our goal is to create sustainable relationships where people are valued, not just numbers.
If we believe that the human is the most important part of any business – let’s show it through actions. Let’s build relationships where everyone feels worthy. Because only in such an environment can an industry emerge that we are proud of.
