Workplace Violence against Female Long-haul Truckers

Abstract

This article describes workplace violence issues experienced by long-haul female truckers in the US. Females comprise between six and ten per cent of long-haul truckers, and their numbers are growing. Data for this study were collected via a self-administered survey using a convenience sample of 51 female long-haul truck drivers at a major truck show. Forty-two per cent of women reported at least one type of workplace violence while working as a long-haul trucker. Sixty-seven per cent had feared for their personal safety while working during the previous year. Measures women take to ensure their safety at work included carrying a weapon, taking a self-defense class, and cautionary tactics regarding where they stopped to refuel and rest. Because women experience workplace violence differently than do men, different interventions need to be developed to ensure a healthy workforce.