Mounting pressure on fulfilment and a shrinking talent pipeline across warehousing and transport means flexible shift design is key to keeping supply chains moving.
With the average HGV driver now aged 51 and more than a third of UK employees over 50 years-old, workforce management expert Ned Gammel (pictured, below) says microshifting – shorter, more flexible shift models – could be the key to securing the sector’s future.
Gammell, VP of Sales at workforce management provider Quinyx, warns that without urgent change, the sector risks running out of talent.
He explains: “Logistics leaders know the workforce is ageing fast, but the solution isn’t just hiring more people – it’s modernising how we schedule work. The next generation expects flexibility, autonomy and balance. Microshifting delivers all three – and could be the difference between a full team and an empty depot.”
Data from the Road Haulage Association reports nearly half (47%) of HGV drivers are aged over 50, while only 1% are under 25. Insights from Quinyx’s State of the Frontline Workforce Report reveal a sharp generational divide across logistics roles:
• 74% of logistics workers aged 54+ are satisfied with their jobs – 10% higher than their 18 to 24-year old colleagues
• 86% of over-54s feel appreciated at work
• Almost half (46%) of over-54s report no work-related stress
In contrast, younger logistics employees cite depression (51%), burnout (36%), stress (55%) and lack of scheduling flexibility (20%) as key frustrations at work – underlining the need for new shift structures that fit modern lifestyles.
Already gaining traction in retail and manufacturing, microshifting allows frontline roles to be divided into smaller, stackable blocks that can be swapped or selected by staff.
Gammell continues: “You can’t always divide a long-haul route in two, but many warehouse, picking and dispatch roles are perfect for modular scheduling. With smart technology, businesses can match cover to demand peaks, while offering workers greater control over their hours.”
With intelligent, AI-driven scheduling tools, logistics operators can:
• Attract younger talent with flexible, lifestyle-friendly shifts
• Retain older workers through phased or reduced-hour options
• Reduce burnout and absenteeism by balancing workloads
• Optimise resources around real-time demand peaks
“Microshifting isn’t a gimmick,” Gammell concludes. “It’s a practical fix for a growing workforce crisis. By modernising shift design, logistics leaders can build multi-generational teams that are motivated, balanced and ready for the future.”
