Economy-driven lack-of-work layoffs impacted proportionately more warehouse workers and forklift operators than in previous years, according to specialised logistics staffing provider ProLogistix.

From the results of a survey, "it is clear we have been in a recession for the last couple of years," says Brian Devine, ProLogistix division vice president. "The recession did not just terminate forklift operators. It terminated some great performers."

The ProLogistix 2010 warehouse employee opinion survey was conducted from July to October, mostly online. The 1,624 respondents to the 11-question survey include warehouse workers on the payroll of ProLogistix and its clients or a ProLogistix applicant with more than six months of experience. At least 60% of the respondents operate forklifts.

The fourth annual survey follows previous efforts, in each case trying to identify "what is in the mindset of (hourly) warehouse workers", Devine says. "By far, most are involved with material handling equipment."

Layoffs resulting from lack of work grew to 46% of the 2010 survey respondents from 34% of those in 2009 and 21% in 2008.

In addition, while warehouse workers prefer the first shift, more expressed the flexibility to work on a second or third shift or on a weekend. Willingness to work the second shift grew to 51% in the new survey versus 37% in last year's results.

Respondents prefer to get measured on their on-the-job "productivity and not just tenure", Devine says.

Geistware Consulting Services of Locust Grove, Georgia coordinates and tabulates the survey responses for ProLogistix.

The gathering process for 2010 concentrated on reaching the workers through their regular pay cards. "We have been using pay cards in some of our branches for up to three years, but 100% of our branches went on the pay card system in March," Devine says.

"(ProLogistix) piloted the use of pay cards a few times a couple of years ago," he says. "Those pay cards have gotten better and better, and more companies have gone to them."

ProLogistix employs 46 certified forklift trainers in its 54 branches in 20 states with a focus on the south east and south west US regions. Some trainers function at more than one location.

Annually, the trainers conduct forklift-operator certifications for about 6,200 individuals "in compliance with (US Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines," Devine notes.

Across all job functions, more than 50% of ProLogistix-placed workers operate forklifts.

In addition to openings for forklift operators, ProLogistix fills warehouse and distribution centre positions for product load specialists, order selectors, shipping and receiving personnel, quality assurance technicians, operations managers and supply chain executives.

Primarily, clients use temporary-to-hire ProLogistix workers who may move to a company-based temporary or permanent position as needs dictate. "About 70% are temp-to-hire" initially, Devine says. The client may want to try out a worker before bringing that person onto the payroll.

Devine attended Towson State University in Towson, Maryland majoring in mass communications. Devine worked with PaineWebber Mortgage Finance attaining the position of area vice president for the south east region and was with US Personnel as vice president of marketing for US Personnel prior to establishing and founding the ProLogistix brand in the late 1990s.

ProLogistix is one of seven specialty staffing brands of Atlanta-based EmployBridge Holding Co. Privately owned EmployBridge has a total of 143 locations in the US.