Burnout in the TSL Industry – How to Deal with It?

The Transport, Freight Forwarding, and Logistics (TSL) industry is a key component of economic operations. It enables goods to move efficiently across countries and continents. However, working in this industry comes with significant responsibilities, a fast pace, and constant pressure.

In Poland and Europe, there is an increasing discussion about burnout in the TSL sector, affecting freight forwarders, dispatchers, and drivers alike. Research from the Institute of Occupational Medicine indicates that as many as 40% of Polish employees experience symptoms of burnout, and in the transport sector, this percentage may be even higher.

But does every transport company operate this way? How can work be organized to minimize stress and fatigue? We discuss this topic with Mateusz Szweda, Express Team Leader at Visline.

Beginning of a Career and Specifics of the TSL Industry

Zuzanna Malek: Mateusz, you have been at Visline and in the TSL industry for 14 years – that is a long tenure at one company. How did your journey in transport begin?

Mateusz Szweda: Indeed, 14 years is a long time! My story with Visline started somewhat by accident – I returned to Poland after a few years abroad and was looking for a new job. I had a high level of English, which is crucial in logistics. I started as an assistant to the Vice President, but I quickly became deeply involved in the industry.

Zuzanna: So, at first, you did not plan to build your career in transport?

Mateusz: Not exactly. The first few months were challenging because everything happens very fast in transport, and you must make quick decisions. At first, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of information, but over time, I gained confidence and started enjoying the process of executing complex logistics operations.

Zuzanna: Given that, what made you decide to stay in this industry for the long term?

Mateusz: Mostly the dynamic nature of the work. Every day is different, and I like when things are happening. Additionally, over time, I felt that I had an impact on how logistics operates, which is very satisfying.

Zuzanna: What was your career path at Visline like?

Mateusz: I started as an assistant, then moved to an independent freight forwarder position, followed by a senior freight forwarder role. After a few years, I was offered the position of Team Leader, which was a significant step forward for me. Now, in addition to handling my own projects, I support junior employees and help the team in challenging situations.

Burnout in the TSL Industry

Zuzanna: Having worked in this industry for so long, you must have encountered the issue of burnout. What factors in the TSL industry contribute most to this phenomenon?

Mateusz: Burnout in the TSL industry is a huge problem, especially in companies that do not care about work culture and work-life balance. In many companies, freight forwarders are on call 24/7, meaning that even after regular working hours, they must respond to crisis situations. I know of cases where people quit the industry entirely after a few years of such a work schedule because they simply could not cope mentally.

Another aspect is the constant pressure – everything has to be done yesterday. In logistics, long-term planning is rarely possible, and unforeseen situations like traffic jams, delays, or border issues are everyday occurrences. If a company lacks proper processes and support, an employee is left to deal with everything alone, leading to overload.

Zuzanna: How do you personally manage such pressure? Have you ever felt burnt out?

Mateusz: Yes, there were moments when I felt exhausted and unmotivated. At one point, I woke up in the morning and thought, “I don’t want to go to work,” which is a serious warning sign. Taking a few days off and completely disconnecting from my phone and emails helped me. This allowed me to return with renewed energy, and it still works just as effectively.

Over the years, I have also learned to manage stress and not worry about things beyond my control. My family is also a great support – sometimes just talking to a loved one helps to gain perspective and relieve stress.

Organizational Culture as a Protective Umbrella for Freight Forwarders

Zuzanna: Can a company’s work organization also reduce the risk of burnout?

Mateusz: Absolutely, a good company can change everything and create a protective umbrella for its employees, providing maximum internal support. This makes it easier to handle external challenges and pressure.

Zuzanna: Is that what has kept you at Visline for so long?

Mateusz: Zdecydowanie tak! Dobra atmosfera i struktura pracy, pozwalają zachować zdrową równowagę. W Visline stawia się na partnerstwo i elastyczność. Pracujemy w standardowych godzinach, a dyżury mamy raz w tygodniu, co jest rzadkością w tej branży. Dodatkowo mamy realne wsparcie przełożonych, co oznacza, że nie jesteśmy zostawieni sami sobie w trudnych sytuacjach. To wszystko sprawia, że pracuje się tutaj po prostu dobrze.

Zuzanna: What makes Visline stand out from other freight forwarding companies?

Mateusz: The work structure and our approach to people. In many companies, freight forwarders are on call all the time, which leads to burnout. With us, there is a division into departments that significantly eases the workload – we have separate forwarding departments responsible for organizing specific transports, and a dispatch department that ensures the correct execution of the route. Thanks to this, our forwarders don’t have to handle everything at once.

Another very important aspect, which is rare in the TSL industry, is duty shifts once a week – we work standard hours, and after hours we are only on duty one specific day a week. This is a huge relief compared to other companies where you have to be available all the time. It means we don’t have to answer the phone at all hours of the day and night, which reduces stress and increases efficiency.

Zuzanna: Besides structure and processes, how much of an impact does organizational culture have on burnout?

Mateusz: It has an enormous impact. I can confidently say that Visline is a company that truly cares about its employees. We have full support from the team – the doors to supervisors and even the CEO are always open, and finding solutions together with the team in our open space is standard practice. We also have annual development talks where we discuss our needs, career goals, and growth directions.

There are also extra benefits that support well-being – office massages, team-building events, and access to coaching sessions.

Who is Freight Forwarding For?

Zuzanna: You previously mentioned qualities that help in this industry. Who is freight forwarding really for?

Mateusz: Freight forwarding is not for everyone. It is a dynamic field where you need to handle time pressure and make quick decisions. In my opinion, a good freight forwarder should have a few key traits:

• Stress resilience – this is crucial. Crises are common in this job – delays, route changes, issues with cargo or vehicles. If someone gets easily frustrated, they might struggle in this field.
• Quick decision-making – sometimes you have only a few minutes to find a solution. This job is for people who enjoy action and are not afraid to take responsibility.
• Good organizational skills – managing multiple transports daily requires excellent planning and time management skills.
• Communication skills – a freight forwarder’s job is mainly about talking – with clients, drivers, and colleagues. Being open, negotiating well, and communicating clearly is essential.
• Attention to detail – in freight forwarding, every detail matters – loading times, required documents, and traffic restrictions. If you have a sharp memory and attention to detail, you will do well.
• Flexibility – no two days are the same in this job. If you prefer routine and repetitive tasks, freight forwarding may not be the best fit.

People with these qualities usually thrive in this field and find it rewarding.

Zuzanna: Let’s say someone wants to try their hand at freight forwarding. What advice would you give them?

Mateusz: It’s definitely worth being well-prepared and fully aware of what you’re signing up for. It’s a very interesting but demanding industry, so I have a few tips for people just starting out:

• Be patient – the beginning is tough. Freight forwarding is an industry where the first few months can be challenging. There’s a lot to learn – from transport procedures and customer service to route management and documentation. Don’t get discouraged at the start – with time, you’ll gain experience, and everything will become more intuitive.
• Learn from more experienced colleagues. The best source of knowledge is seasoned freight forwarders. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take advantage of their advice. At Visline, we have a great onboarding system, so new employees can count on real support.
• Learn how to organize your time well. In freight forwarding, you’re handling a lot of things at once every day – if you don’t learn how to prioritize tasks, you’ll quickly get lost. Write down important things, set reminders, and use time management tools.
• Don’t take everything personally. This is key if you want to survive in this industry. There will be times when a client is upset, a driver is running late, or someone on your team makes a mistake. There’s no point in getting worked up over things you can’t control. When something happens, focus on solving the problem, not stressing over it.
• Make time to rest. The TSL industry can be intense, but if you stay organized, you’ll find time for your personal life. At Visline, we make sure employees maintain balance and aren’t available 24/7. That’s why it’s important to shut your laptop at the end of the day and focus on yourself.
• Learn the basics of English. If you want to grow in this industry, knowing English is a big advantage. Freight forwarding is an international business, and both carriers and clients often come from different countries. Even basic knowledge of the language makes the job much easier.
• Be flexible and open to change. No two days in freight forwarding are the same – if you like challenges, you’ll love this job. It’s important not to be afraid of change and to be able to adapt quickly to new situations.

Summary

Burnout in the TSL industry is a real problem, but proper work organization and company culture can help mitigate it. Visline is an example of a company that takes care of its employees by providing support, clear work structures, and work-life balance.