Following the rising spread of coronavirus around the world. Companies have become very keen on measures to protect their employees from getting exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Uber is among the lastest companies that have taken those measures.
Uber will compensate drivers affected by COVID-19, which will be based on their average daily earnings over the last six months. Ride-hailing and delivery drivers are among the most vulnerable as the virus spreads. This is because of the very social nature of their jobs and because they don’t qualify for sick leave as independent contractors.
However, the compensation will be effective if the has completed one trip in the 30 days before March 6.. Or have their account restricted because Uber was notified of diagnosis or exposure.
Uber will also use the average daily rate a driver has earned in the last six months. Or since their first trip if they signed up more recently. Rates will vary per country. For example, a San Francisco driver who earned on average $28.57 per day.
Drivers will have 30 days since diagnosis or quarantine date to file a claim online and will be eligible for up to 14 days of compensation. This will not apply in the case of a citywide shutdown of the service.
“We will provide you with financial assistance for up to 14 days. For an active driver driving or delivering with Uber get diagnosed with COVID-19 and is placed into quarantine. or are personally placed in quarantine by a public health authority.
The circumstances surrounding COVID-19 are changing rapidly. We expect they will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months ahead. To ensure we are responsive to this reality, this policy is effective until April 6, 2020. At which with time we will reassess the situation and release a go-forward policy.” said, Andrew Macdonald, Senior Vice President, Rides and Platform.
Notably, Uber will be will policymakers and health officials in each country to confirm driver eligibility to the compensation program.
