Being at work while something is going on at home is a nightmare. The last thing you want is for your family to need you and for you to be unable to be there for them.
But while my coworkers and I can go home at the end of the day — or even leave mid-day — to be with our families and give them the support they need, over-the-road (OTR) drivers don’t necessarily have that option. They may be across the country when an emergency strikes.
A quick call to your driver manager (DM) and you’re on your way home, right?
Maybe not. If you went home every time something was happening at home, you wouldn’t spend a lot of time on the road — which means your income would suffer.
As a truck driver, this is an unfortunate reality.
However, there are support resources in place to help you when you’re going through this — whether that means finding a way to support your loved ones from the road or taking an extended leave to be with them.
As a driver manager (DM) at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), I spend a lot of time talking with my drivers about what’s happening at home and how they can navigate difficult situations.
In this article, I’ll help you understand your options and how you can cope when you’re on the road and something is going on in your personal life — because first and foremost, we want you to be safe out there.
Talking to Your Driver Manager
Before you make a move, call your DM.
No matter what’s going on at home — whether it’s with your health, your family, or your other loved ones — you should have a conversation with your DM. You may not be fully comfortable telling them everything that’s going on, but shedding some light on the situation is important.
Don’t keep the situation and stress to yourself. Opening up about what’s going on can provide some relief and give you another much-needed perspective. Your DM can help advise you on the best decision and explain your options.
Related: How to talk to your DM
Option #1: Staying on the Road
When you find out there’s something going on at home that needs your attention, it’s easy to panic and get worked up — as would most people. A crisis can make it difficult for you to think straight.
Your first instinct may be to go home, but depending on the scenario, you and your DM might decide that staying on the road is the right move. For example, your child may be sick with the flu and you want to be there for them, but by the time you get home, they might already feel better.
Your DM will dig in and ask questions to determine what’s going on and how they can best assist you. They truly are there to help you.
Let’s talk through your options for staying on the road during a crisis at home so you can determine what’s right for you.
Calm Down and Refocus
After receiving the news of an emergency, your first move should be to try to calm down and refocus. Whether you’re upset, overwhelmed, scared, or anxious about a situation at home that feels out of your control, taking a few moments — or longer — to calm yourself is necessary.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
If that’s a little too zen for your liking, you could go for a quick walk, lift some weights, crank some loud music, or call someone to vent — whatever helps you calm down.
Take a Break
If you’re feeling emotional about what’s going on personally, it may be tough for you to focus on driving. You don’t want to endanger yourself or someone else on the road, so it’s a good idea to take some time off.
You might need a short break or a longer 10-hour break to get your head on straight.
If you’re under a load, talk to your DM about delaying the delivery time so you can take some time to process.
Connect with Home
If you can’t be in person, the next best thing is to connect with your family through technology. Consider connecting through:
- Phone calls
- Video chats
- Online gaming
- Movie streaming services
You may not be there in person, but you can still be present.
Plan Upcoming Home Time
If you don’t have any home time on the calendar and you don’t plan to go home right now, consider planning home time in the upcoming weeks. That way, even if you can’t be there right now, you know you’ll be there soon.
Call an Emergency Line
There are emergency lines you can call to help you navigate a tough situation at home. You can call the employee assistance line at 800-634-6433 if you're an ATS driver.
Option #2: Going Home to Attend to Family Emergencies on the Road
Some scenarios require your immediate attention at home — whether there’s a death in the family, a sudden illness, or something else entirely.
There are several solutions you can work through with your DM to get home, but the most important thing is that you get there safely. Chances are that you’re pretty worried, so you may struggle to focus on work. Whatever solution you and your DM come to, just make sure it’s a safe one.
Take Home Time Early
You may already have home time coming up. If so, see if you can move it up a few days to get home sooner.
Take a Load Home
If it’s time to go home, you might want to take a load home on the way — especially if you’re already under a load. This may or may not work for you depending on how dire the situation is; you may not have time to spend delivering a load.
However, if the issue isn’t especially urgent, taking a load home can avoid having to bounce the whole way home.
Schedule a Flight Home
You may need to get home immediately. If that’s the case, you can work with your company to get a flight home. It’ll be faster than driving and you won’t have to worry about being behind the wheel while you’re working through an emotional event.
If you’re under a load at the time, your company can work with you to either repower the load or have your truck and trailer parked in a safe and secure location nearby until you’re ready to go back to work.
Some trucking companies have employee assistance programs in place that are designed to help out during an emergency, so be sure to utilize the resources available to you.
Take a 34-Hour Reset
You might only need to be home for a few days to take care of matters. If so, a 34-hour reset at home might give you enough time at the house.
Take a Leave of Absence
There are some scenarios in which a 30-day leave of absence (LOA) may be necessary. As a company driver, you’ll work together with your DM and human resources department to arrange the LOA and take the time you need to be at home.
You may need to take time to take care of a family member or yourself. The Family and Medical Leave Act allows covered employees to take 12 work weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period to take care of a parent, child, or spouse with a serious medical condition.
Get the Support You Need
Being out on the road while things are happening at home is never easy, and it’s natural to feel torn between your responsibilities at work and your desire to support your loved ones. But remember, you’re not alone in handling this.
At ATS, your DM is here to listen, help you strategize, and make sure you feel supported. Whether that means staying on the road, making a plan to get home, or finding creative ways to stay connected, there’s a solution that will work best for your unique situation.
Every driver faces moments where they have to make tough calls about work and home life. It's part of the job’s challenge, but it's also part of the strength you build out here.
Take the time to talk things through, connect in any way you can, and keep your well-being front and center. Because when you’re safe, clear-headed, and supported, you can be the driver your family and ATS are proud to have on the road.
So next time life throws a curveball, know you have the tools, resources, and support network to navigate it — while still being the professional driver you set out to be.
For mental health resources, call or text 988 to reach the National Crisis Hotline or check out these tips from a doctor.