local driver

dock worker

truck driver

diesel mechanic

long haul driver

Ward-Trucking

My position required me to plan heavily and early to set up the day's plan. A typical day required to use LinkShare to go over notes from the previous day and apply to the day's workload. Through the use of a 2 tier computer system, assemble runs, assign staff to unload trailers and load trailers that are used for the day's runs. Then close out the planned runs to be set up manifests for driver's daily runs. Once completed, direct dock staff to clean and setup for the following shift. Once finished, complete safety checks and final closing emails.
 What I've learned in my time is the company has a strong sense of direction. It mainly comes down to who executes them. There was more concern of what was seen on paper than the cause and effect of day to day situations. Without that contrast, improvements cannot be established.
 The workplace culture enriches and encourages teamwork. However, this location was more concerned who was to blame. Division was consistently running rampant when people should have worked as a team to complete tasks. Mainly biases played a role on how management conducted it's business.
 Management has it's own challenges. Along with consistent altering of set plans, there was a constant need for over control. Not allowing capable staff to complete their tasks without excessive oversight. Management had a tendency to take aggravation out on lower staff. Not the culture that the company instills. Having met several higherups who have this core belief of treating people well, was not reflected by this location's management.
 The hardest part of the job was the long hours needed to complete the daily tasks. Where it was claimed it should take 2/3s of the time needed was a misrepresentation. The hours put in left little of a personal life.
 The most enjoyable part of the job was meeting good people from all positions above and below. It showed me that regardless of what I experienced from the on site management, the company's personal, mission statement held true on how they support their employees.

When starting ward trucking for the first time I was already previously experienced in the forklift driving field but the employees already working their had more tips and "tricks" on performing better everyday and didn't make it a nuisance as to tell you what to do. They were very polite and informative so as far as the team I worked with they were one of the best people I have worked with. And as far as the job it was fairly easy, I would unload freight trucks for most of the day and stage them in parts of the warehouse to which their destination would be for example if I removed four skids of auto parts that needed to be shipped out to new jersey I would stage them in front of the bay door that would be driving out to new jersey later on that same day. For the later parts of the day there was no more unloading, now was the time to load them into their correct freight trucks, which can get a little crazy with everyone whizzing by making sure they have all their freight but My team always worked coordinated and we helped each other out when one person seemed stuck or couldn't find their products for distribution. The management team was great for most of my time their they would hop on a forklift and get to work as well they didn't just watch us work, they worked too. But when a newer unexperienced manager came into play things went a bit haywire and the team effort seemed to be slowly diminishing due to poor leadership. The hardest part of the job was the lack of people at the job so those who were their were forced almost 12 to 14 hour days.

the Terminal manager here is Unfair he does not enforce the rules equally and upper managemnet is a joke they investigate your complaints of harrassment and tell you that you need to complain to the one whos harrassing you .then they ask you for info on the loads and you do as they ask and then they get rid of someone for doing what they asked him to do cause the Terminal Manager does not want to help us he just wants to make himself look good and if you stand up for safety he will get you fired i have witnessed this here and now we lost a guy who was very well liked and always here ontime everyday and even his customers are not happy its a case of injustice yu do not get a lunch yu have to eat while driving to make the pick ups and delivery they require and they change policies on a dime to fit the day at hand The Ward owners care nothing about their employees their MOTTO ITS NOT WHAT WARD CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR WARD and after yu give and give they will wipe their feet on you as they walk over you managment is not held accountable for nothing here it all falls on the driver or dockmen even though the Terminal Manager forces you to do an unsafe act and something goes wrong its your fault not his he will write you up and if you refuse they will fire you for reusing work theres no win

I do like the idea there is work here everyday our equipment is poor and they really do not give you what you need to do the job its like pulling teeth to get the proper equipment

As stated by others no time and a half over 40 hrs. Just straight time. It's a law so ward doesn't offer any more than they have to. 401 k offered but no company match offered since 2008 ish. No paid sick days you use vacation days. Straight trucks are junk as stated before no air brakes so they can have any idiot drive them. If your are not given your 30 min lunch and the time is deducted from your pay. That is illegal and you should report it to the us department of labor. If you lunch is interrupted and you need to do work you must be allowed to start your 30 over. It is in the same law google it in us labor laws. The pay is lower than competitors who pay time and a half so newer employees are less qualified cause more qualified people go where the money is.  Older employees like their  3 weeks + vacation and seniority so they stick around. But we are getting fed up and are slowly leaving too. Maybe union will help. Low pay = low qualified mechanics.  No time and a half for them either. Law. Drivers are treated as slaves too. Sometimes no set start time and definitely no set stop time work till dispatcher runs out of freight.  This would be good if I was getting union rate time and a half after 8 or 40 hrs. Health insurance is ok not great though.  This is a privately owned company so the many family hands are payed there share then the rest is the prophet used to run the company.  It's always we're not making enough so the employees will get less even in great business years. I do work about 50 hrs a week.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Overall Ward is a good company considering its a trucking company. Dock can get sloppy. You get a lot of autonomy if you get the work done. Pay is slightly above average. Pretty sure if you take the longer routes and volunteer for 6th days you can make 6 figures. I never did. I like my weekends and also to keep my days to 9-10 hrs. Uniforms provided and boot allowances if I recall.  Same truck daily. Mine was basically a new mack anthem automatic with single axle. Trucks go by seniority though and they got some dogs. I’d recommend  working for Ward. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The way your truck gets loaded. I’d basically spend 30-40 minutes daily rearranging to save hours on the road. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Fast pace. But laid back. Boys club. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Two types of days. 1. Your truck is ready when you get in, you get it right or not and go do your deliveries. Empty the trailer and begin your pickups. 2. You have to wait hours for linehaul so you start deliveries late and if you care now you’re trying to do pickups with deliveries which is a pain. Dispatch would rather pickups but you know your customers and know they need certain things asap but dispatch wants to cut the delivery for a pickup and it’s just rushed and stressful.

I gave Ward my two week notice. They let me go with no notice due to lack of work their is no such thing as lack of work at ward trucking. They make so much by not paying drivers overtime. I was injured and the insurance company they use Sedgwick is very unprofessional and nasty like its your intention to get hurt. They will deny all your claims just so they don't have to pay. This company is very racist. A dispatcher position was available and 2 Latino 1 black and a white person with no knowledge in dispatching applied and the white person was picked for the job, mind you I have 10 years experience in dispatch but since am a Latino they went with a white person with no experience which was one of the requirements in the job description. They also send us minorities to locations where you need a bullet proof vest to make deliveries and pick ups, because shots are fired every night,its the ghetto, in these neighborhoods. Meanwhile the white drivers are in the suburbs eating at Wawa and Sheets enjoying the country scenery, with cows and deers. I would look the other way before working here NO OVERTIME! Expect to work 50 + hours a week or get FIRED!

This is one of the absolute worst work environments I've ever been involved with. Dispatchers are absolutely clueless nor do they care about the problems you face on a daily route.

 The work load at times is unattainable considering the amount of deliveries given average 14 and the average pick ups being roughly the same with a generally late departure time.  

Their motto is we are undermanned because we expect more from our drivers. Operating area is to large for the manpower. This also goes for the dockworkers are understaffed as well.

 The equipment is in bad operating condition especially their trailers. Daily you need to negotiate holes in the floor hidden by freight because of the its not my job mentality. Doors that won't open or close falling out of their tracks. 

 Everyone walks around in a highly miserable state of aggravation. The benefits are always being played with are sub par so that you will pay the greater sum of expenses. Long work hours all at straight time wages.

 It's a point the finger at the other guy mentality and complain how everyone else doesn't od their job.

 I would not recommend this facility to an enemy much less anyone else.

Ward Trucking is a place for opportunity. Whether you're looking to obtain a CDL, you're a new student out of school, or a driver with experience, Ward has a spot for you. Regardless of your experience, Ward takes pride in training/coaching their drivers to a level of success. 

Opportunity for growth is always the goal. Whether your job title is a dock worker, a driver, a supervisor, or a manager, there's always an expectation of growth in your position. An opportunity for advancement is always achievable.

What is achievable is up to you. Any position in a trucking company requires dedication, hard work, commitment, multitasking, handling stressful situations and able to overcome adversity even the things you can't control. Ward is no different and these attributes are required. Ward is always willing to train and help you improve in these areas.

If you're interested in working in the trucking industry that helps keeping America moving, then Ward has an opportunity for you!      

Management could care less about people w/families. My wife went into labor so I called to tell the main manager I needed the day off and I was told that if I wanted to work there I would have to be there and I had to make a choice, I thought it was a joke .dispatchers text your cell phone while driving and get upset when you dont text them back (while you are driving).. they will keep u on the road until midnight because they dont pay overtime.  You have to load your own truck before route, work 12 hrs on the road and then unload your truck while dodging unqualified forklift drivers.  Very cheep they dont equip u with safe or proper equipment to perform your job and do not pay time and a half after 40hrs. Everybody is expendable, drivers come and go.  A guy was fired when they accused him of not reporting an accident to the company,  no police report, citation or any proof that an accident occurred just an anonymous email, a week before christmas.  Most disrespectful and unprofessional management ive ever seen(only in movies).

I have only been here three months but cannot complain.  The workload is good. Pay is hourly and they are giving me the hours that I need to make a decent pay check. You get a raise after 6 months then after your first year. Every once in a while it is slow and may only do 4 days instead of 5, but the fact that I can do a little over 12 hours any given day the week it does not affect me that hard. You get weekends off which is great if you have a family and want to enjoy life.  So far I have not had any issues with anyone in Management. It is like a family atmosphere where they treat you with respect and are willing to work with you if you have any issues.  I can not comment yet about the benefits because I just became eligible for the Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits this week so I haven't utilized them as of yet. Overall I have to say that I am enjoying working for Ward and I have over 20 years in the industry so this statement says a lot.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Local driver 103 salaries reported	$32.40 per hour
Dock worker 83 salaries reported	$25.50 per hour
Truck driver 54 salaries reported	$33.69 per hour
Diesel mechanic 71 salaries reported	$32.40 per hour
Long haul driver 38 salaries reported	$93,947 per year

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