It’s that time of year again. The time where crafting holiday wishlists takes over class work, the most popular brands are raided of their inventory and people focus more on what their closet should look like, as opposed to spending time with their loved ones. This is the holiday season, and although the smiles and compliments are sure to boost your self-esteem when you return to school, I am sure you have forgotten about the hard-work, tireless hours, sweat and tears coming from the workers who delivered your new matching Alo set.
Through the whirlwind that the holiday season can be, we have become oblivious to the roles that delivery drivers play in shaping our magical celebrations. While we have learned to accept the transition from in-person shopping to selecting delivery methods, we must be aware of the efforts that our delivery drivers have put into this time of year, and realize the importance of appreciating them and their impactful work.
As our world continues to idolize the need for name brand clothing, expensive shoes and overpriced cosmetic products, consumerism rates continue to increase each year and shoppers have become dependent on quick, easy and online ways to conduct holiday shopping.
Malls and in-store shops have become a minor part of the holidays, with many shifting to online websites and stores to manage their purchasing for the season. According to reuters.com, U.S. delivery companies are on track to handle 2.3 billion packages this holiday season, 5 percent more than last year.
With the advancement in online websites being used to conduct holiday shopping, customers are more enticed to take the easier route of delivery as opposed to traveling to a store to purchase items. According to capitaloneshopping.com, consumers are 148 percent more likely to select ship-to-home over in-store pick up.
During this chaotic time of year, delivery drivers have become busier than ever, packed each day with countless numbers of deliveries to complete. On a typical day, aboutamazon.com, describes the life of one of their delivery drivers noting that, “[The driver] will have anywhere from 170 to 190 stops and deliver about 250 to 300 packages.”
According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics, the average wage for a delivery driver is as low as $10 an hour and high as $29.37 an hour. For what can be viewed as a low paying, yet demanding job, the studies also said that most delivery drivers work full time with some exceeding 40 hours per week.
Not only do drivers face a myriad of challenges through their demanding jobs, but they also have to navigate the harsh weather conditions posing dangerous threats to their lives during these cold winter months. Their duties are reliant on a “rain or shine” agenda, permitting them to conduct deliveries in rain, snow and additional dangerous weather conditions. These conditions have also posed threats to their safety in regards to crossing streets and routing their paths to deliver packages.
A study conducted by the Journal of Urban Health reported 22 percent of delivery drivers experiencing injuries, and 21 percent being assaulted while on the job. Through the multitude of dangers drivers face all year round, this annual time poses an even larger threat on the lives and safety of those we have become dependent on in securing the gifts for those we hold dear.
Taking into account the surplus of deliveries being conducted during the month of December, we must be aware of not only the challenging job drivers are facing, but the need for our patience, support and kindness during this remarkably busy time.
We must acknowledge the underappreciation of delivery drivers, and realize that their job in our communities is essential to our holiday cheer. While some believe that their money and the shop they ordered from are the only working factors in the gifts under the tree, they are also ignoring the hard work and care being put in behind it all.
Next time you spot a delivery driver near your home, consider saying a simple “hello” and “thank you,” or consider leaving out a snack cart with some treats. Acts like these can truly go a long way, and brighten the day of someone who feels like they are merely the invisible face placing a box on your doorstep.