driver

driver (independent contractor)

software engineer

senior software engineer

account executive

Uber

It was a lot of fun, and exciting to be a part of. They were good to me. That is until they let me go. 

I was supposedly let go for violating the attendance policy. The date in question was approved for a form of specialized PTO by Uber and paid out on my check. After the fact, they informed me it was technically a violation based on something in training material from 6 months back or longer, despite what the company policy online stated or their approval and issuance of paid time off. So, I was unexpectedly and suddenly terminated.

After termination, per policy, your access to company employee emails, websites, etc., is removed. I didn't think about not being able to access the emails where I had requested the PTO and it was approved because I still had limited access for exit/legal/tax purposes, etc. Unfortunately, my exit letter and the limited access did not include those emails or extenuating facts. So, I cannot provide any evidence now.

It should be noted that it wasn't my immediate supervisor, nor his, that made this decision as far as I am aware. The decision was apparently made by someone in the larger corporate or HR department who was unaware of all the specifics or of my performance and dedication outside of what the system could show them. My supervisor had no choice but to hand down the termination. He seemed as shocked and unprepared to tell me as I was to hear it. This from a largely automated system that is a behemoth and takes on a life of its own, often adversely affecting both employees and driver-partners. 

This was just ahead of their IPO, when they were streamlining in order to be as lean and profitable as possible I assume. I was the lone employee in my location. They could've sent a replacement or an extra worker from a neighboring location, but instead opted to close the office in my city and it's region. This seems to support the streamlining process being at play.

The culture was great in many ways, but was not very friendly to conservative, traditional, or Christian perspectives. Albeit, that was not the case in actual practice nor in my immediate circles or chain of command. I also saw real effort to balance that without taking away from their clear embrace of a liberal/progressive social agenda. Still, I mention this, because the company culture is nevertheless heavy on the liberal/progressive side. It is only fair that everyone is aware of that going in, especially if, like me, you do not subscribe to such views or agendas. Nevertheless, I was treated well and respected, and I sought to treat others the same.

Aside from an abrupt and unexpected ending on questionable grounds, working for the company was otherwise a distinct pleasure. Really! My teammates were great, the remote culture was active, the schedule was good, the pay was decent, the benefits were unbelievably stellar, and the opportunities were global.

In summary: they lost a great employee over a technicality. However, I gained some great experiences while providing for my family and supporting driver partners who help keep cities & people moving via Uber. It was a great place to work. All in all, it was a great place to work. While I obviously can't give them 5 stars, I'd average my experience out at 4 stars. I'd even generously give them a 4.5-star rating, but this system doesn't permit that.

I love working for the people, providing rides to their destinations because I feel like I'm part of something and I'm helping people.

I always give the 200% of myself, I have 5 star score rating on this APP and I always provide the best attention and service to riders.

I spent money on repairs, fuel, accessories and items for the riders to feel good, cleaning, tires, and have to report all the miles I put into my own car, and UBER only pays 30 to 35% of what they charge to passengers. 

If a rider is paying 10$ for a 10-15 minute ride (around 3 to 5 miles), Uber only pays me 3$. People normally don't tip because they think all the money goes to the driver or just because they though they paid enough. Few good people give extra tip and I always provide the best service and best attitude and it's not about that when it comes to overpaying for a service and then having to pay again. They always think all the money goes to the driver or at least most of it but its not the case.

Whenever you ran into a technical issue with the APP, it takes hours for someone to take your call and then won't help or hang up the phone.

APP is always malfunctioning even its updated. Does not track properly your rides and won't calculate the best promotions, offers or rides you deserve considering your score and rating.

I know a lot of riders and they tell me they pay sometimes 50-70$ for a 45 min ride to 1 hour, and a driver only gets paid 20$ for that hour, 25$ tops! Now you do the math, you have to invest in fuel, car expenses and repairs and you're only getting less than 35%.

On top of that selfish algorithm that they use to charge/pay, they give ''promotions'' to motivate drivers to drive lots of hours for lots of rides and they give you extra money for it.

BUT HERE IS THE REAL DEAL;

You have to make 60 trips in 3 or 4 days to make extra 100$, that's right just 100$ extra.

You make around 10-20 trips a day but to make 20 trips you have to work more than 10 hours hoping it's busy. So, no. There is no way you can't make those 60 trips in 3 days and even if you do, you'll be spending more on fuel than what you're expecting to get extra from UBER and their promotions.

ON TOP OF THIS, yes they offer extra money, but they pay you less for each trip, so it's like they tax your rides and then they refund your taxes as 'promotion payment'. 

If it's raining or busy or a holiday, they charge WAY MORE to riders, and give riders an extra 1$ if you drive in busy demanding areas where there is traffic so they can make a lot of money without paying you for your sacrifice.

It used to be good back when it started for both riders and drivers. Now a bunch of people is even hacking the UBER system as drivers, so they can get the LONG DURATION rides for them, using a filter on a hacked phone doing a process called JAILBREAK, and then all the good rides are not offered to the honest hard working people like me and many others. 

AND I KNOW A LOT OF DRIVERS FEEL THE SAME AND WON'T COMPLAIN BECAUSE THEY EITHER DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH OR THEY NEED THE JOB REAL BAD AND WON'T RISK COMPROMISING THEIR IDENTITY BUT WE SHOULD EVEN RIOT FOR THIS. UBER IS RICH BECAUSE OF US AND WE ARE UNDERPAID!

Uber Drivers are nothing more than monopoly pieces now for funding hundreds of millions of dollars to all of Ubers future plans. In the past around 2017, work and pay was great. Now Uber takes around 50% or more of money from all rides, and programs their “algorithm system” to CAP how much money you can earn in your own vehicle. After your “newbie period” (when they make sure you are paid a lot of money in a short amount of time) is over with then your job becomes (H-E-double hockey sticks)  and you make very little money. Drivers would make $70-$80 on a $100 paid trip. Now it’s almost the opposite like $30-$40 for the same distance and time. The algorithm system also slows trips down once you earn a certain amount of money. There is shortage of drivers so it SHOULD be very busy. Uber controls EVERYTHING. 

Uber just plays a lot with your time while in the car. 
Uber’s algorithm system throws you trips in the hour, to make sure you earn anywhere from their guaranteed minimum of $15 an hour to $25. As for trips 50+ miles or 60 minutes out, you are lucky to earn $40. Also you have to pay gas, taxes, and health insurance which you have to pay yourself first, IF earn enough money, and IF you have worked enough eligible hours. So after all those expenses, you are now really at about $11 an hour (happy upside down face) Usually it takes more than 30 hours which is full time, but they always promote being an Uber driver part time. 

My example: I live in LA, luckily my rent is $1,200. They have a weekly rental car program with car companies that price ranges from $200-$300 a week. I rent a comfort car ($300) to earn more. That’s $1,200 a month more. Gas is the only way to keep working. $50 a day on 27mpg is about $1,300 a month That’s another $1,200 a month. So we’re already closing in on $4,000 just to work and pay rent. Nothing else. Luckily I’m single with no kids. I feel bad for the people that do have those responsibilities and stuck in this job. 

These are all statistics and experience from an Uber driver in Los Angeles, CA.
Uber will say what they don’t do, and turn around and do exactly that. Uber is not an honest transparent company to work for and operations should be shut down, so gig drivers can have better opportunity open up for them. You will be sitting in your car long times in between trips. And will have to work at least 40 hours to see any type of reliable pay. You are honestly better off getting a job at a main stream fast food restaurant like Panda Express getting paid more than Uber‘s minimum and you don’t have to pay for your own benefits or taxes..or gas!! Ridesharing is being reduced back to taxi driving except they are using people and their personal cars. 

1) A typical day at work involved checking in with my team to understand their progress towards achieving our goals, understanding the challenges they faced, and how I could help then in achieving those goals as well as their own personal aspirations. It involved meeting with stakeholders in Strategy and Planning and Product Engineering to understand what was going right and what could be improved as it related to their interaction with the Finance teams that they were dependent on. It also involved spending time with senior leaders in my organization (Finance) to level set on how the broader Finance organization was progressing toward its internal objectives, as well as its alignment with broader company strategy. 
2)  This role was a graduation from my pervious role as a program manager in charge of a global program charged with solving siloed bi-annual planning as it related to massive market wide business transformation initiatives. As the company matured from large start-up to market leader, organizational needs changed. Instead of solving for siloed bi-annual planning, we sought to integrate with all dispersed planning functions. This gave birth to an integrated Portfolio Prioritization process that I built with the help of EY consultants. Through this process I learned how to  scale program management through a custom Jira build out that we designed to bring in demands from the business, qualify them, gather KPIs, scope impact and dependencies, produce prioritization scoring, and drive leadership dash boarding which we used to drive prioritization decisions. 
3) The Finance Leadership Team (VPs) at Uber is fantastic! In continuation of my pervious role, I had the pleasure of taking my trusted advisor status to the next level through technology driven insights, and being relied upon as a key source of information to drive strategy and planning for the organization. 
4) No sugar coating here, the workplace culture at Uber is intense in a sense that those who are willing to take on risks were rewarded with hard work, long hours, and the fruits that come along with success in achieving those objectives––something that fit very well with my personality.  
5) The hardest part of the job was being at the center of competing interests and priorities of large corporate functions. This was also the most enjoyable part of the job because I had the opportunity to learn about all of the corporate functions, put myself in their shoes and drive compromise, I like to think that I was a key deal maker in the House or Senate!  

A Typical Day at Work:

Flexibility: One of the biggest draws of driving for Uber is the flexibility it offers. Drivers can set their own hours and work as much or as little as they want.
Variety: Each day can bring different experiences, from short trips to long-distance rides, and interactions with a diverse range of passengers.
Traffic and Wait Times: While flexibility is a benefit, it can also mean waiting for rides, especially during slower times or in less populated areas.
What I Believe I Learned:

People Skills: Interacting with various passengers can improve interpersonal skills and understanding of different perspectives.
Time Management: Effective time management is essential for maximizing earnings and minimizing downtime.
Navigational Skills: Familiarity with local roads and navigation apps is crucial for efficient driving.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Driving for Uber often requires a self-employed mindset, including managing expenses, taxes, and income.
Management:

Remote and Independent: Uber's management is primarily remote and focuses on providing tools and support to drivers.
Feedback System: Drivers often have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences and issues, which can influence platform improvements.
Limited Direct Interaction: The relationship between drivers and management is typically less direct compared to traditional employment models.
Workplace Culture:

Independent Contractors: Uber drivers are considered independent contractors, which can provide flexibility but also means fewer employee benefits.
Diverse Community: The Uber driver community is often diverse, with drivers from various backgrounds and walks of life.
Supportive Network: Many drivers find support and camaraderie within online communities and local meetups.
The Hardest Part of the Job:

Long Hours and Fatigue: Driving for extended periods can be physically and mentally taxing.
Unpredictable Income: Earnings can fluctuate based on factors like traffic, demand, and surge pricing.
Dealing with Challenging Passengers: Occasionally, drivers may encounter difficult or unpleasant passengers.
The Most Enjoyable Part of the Job:

Flexibility and Freedom: The ability to set your own schedule and work at your own pace is often cited as a major benefit.
Meeting New People: Interacting with a variety of passengers can be rewarding and enriching.
Exploring the City: Drivers often have the opportunity to discover new neighborhoods and hidden gems in their city.

I’ve been driving for Uber for a little over a year now. Initially, I was driving close to 50 hours a week. Slept at an airport lot twice just to stay near the airport, as those rides are typically always a decent trip length, which means decent pay. I also live in the Chicagoland area and we have two major airports, so that’s a plus. Uber lacks in many areas. I’ve given feedback by phone, email and chat without any noticeable improvements. For starters, their app needs some tweaking. They provide two destination filters per day, which are intended to get to you where you need to be for your own reasons, twice per day. If you plan to stop anywhere for lunch and to schedule the end of your day is a typical example. They don’t work on effectively. When I did try to use them, I’d get requests that are heading back to where I was driving away from, I’m guessing this is due to being the closest driver to the customer that is requesting that ride. Uber is a global company, compared to Lyft, which isn’t. Uber also offers multiple services, which you automatically qualify for and can opt in to, such as their deliveries (Uber eats as well as picking up orders at retailers), Connect (package pickup and delivery) and shop and pay. There are folks out there that have figured out a routine to where they make six figures a year driving for Uber exclusively. I haven’t gotten to that point. If you encounter any issues that are related to the app, your best bet is to try to figure out the best alternative, their phone support is lousy. They use one number for both drivers and customers to call into and the representatives are more times than not unable to assist with resolving your concern. They always offer to forward your concern to the department that works on the app, which apparently doesn’t take phone calls. Using your own GPS app, whether it’s apple, Google, Waze or whatever you use for personal driving, is probably your best bet. The navigation on their app is glitchy. These companies design their gps to mostly end up where your passengers drop off is on the right side of your vehicle, but it’s always easiest to pull into their driveway or turn around in a neighbors driveway than to drive around the block as the app is designed to have you do. There are also too many times where ride types or underpaying rides come through. I probably did too many of these, before discovering the Para app. If you’re looking to drive for Uber, message me on Instagram @metalcore_daddy and I’ll send you a referral link, pretty sure you get a bonus that way

I feel that as far as the remote customer service team goes, those in leadership positions are flying by the seat of their pants. Ask two managers the same thing and you are likely to get two different answers. No consistency with scheduling or flexibility. Your experience with scheduling will depend on your manager. Some want you to be available when they say, regardless of your other obligations, while other managers have respect for work-life balance. In addition, there are way too many 12-hour shifts scheduled. This is unacceptable to me. 12-hour shifts should be reserved for those who volunteer and should be rewarded appropriately. If no-one steps up then figure something else out. Scheduling 12-hour shifts shows no regard to the employee. 

For the remote customer service position, we were trained for two weeks, which is sufficient. However, after that you are pretty much left to the wolves. They say you are free to ask questions, but everyone is literally ghost once you end training. They  have a chat system that is for the birds! During training it seems great. However, you will ask a question once you are on "the floor" and will get crickets. You will ping a manager for help and get crickets! Then when you look up, the manager has logged out of the chat system. Really?!! So then your only resort is to email a manager and their response is that email is not a good way to get help. How the heck am I supposed to get help when a manager is not around to chat or they ignore my chats?? I understand that not all managers are available 24-7 but the ones that are need to respond. And I shouldn't be chastised for seeking other resources. I'm not sure what I expected, the team leads (most of them, not all) seem rather robotic and boring. Seems like they may not like their jobs, this would explain no one going out of their way to help. 

If you've been working low-paying jobs then  you may put up with these issues, but this is really only a decent salary and I've made more than double what they in a previous career. But I can see how this might seem fantastic to those who have only made a minimum wage salary. My suggestion is to do Uber if you need to, but move on to greener pastures when it's time.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The company is too "distant" and Uber is Huge. So huge that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. Getting a straight answer to problems is difficult. You just get a call center rep that sounds like they are in India. -Can you so Slum Dog Millionaire?  - The help they give is only specific to driving and delivering. It is general knowledge and sometimes not helpful. However, if you are having common problems, someone is usually always available for you by phone if you are a highly rated driver. Less ratings and you have less access to direct phone support. You have to drive extensively to make the income worth while and to have the points accumulated to reach platinum or diamond driver status which gives you the access to a phone rep. otherwise your dealing with a bot in the app. Pros for uber are great flexibility, and nearly instant start up. Get driving within a day or so if you've never driven for them. If you already have a driver account you could start earning today. A good "side hustle" to earn extra money quickly. But there are plenty of downsides to Uber.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Drivers have no Clout. no pull. They are just in a "take it or leave it" situation because you are an independent contractor. You have to accept the terms in the contract. Uber does try to get feedback from drivers often, but it almost feels like it is just a front. It does not really mean much. - also, the money is not all that great. It's not all that bad either, but it is not all that great. Also, it definitely a "limited earning potential" situation. There is only so much you can earn from driving and delivering. To make more you have to drive more. You have to drive a lot for it to be worthwhile. It is exhausting and you have to cover all your own expenses and then you have to worry about paying taxes at the end of the year. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Uber is huge. They are "Too far away." You are an independent contractor. There is not much "corporate culture." You're out on your own. The image they put out is "technology" I suppose. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Drive. That's about it. But, it is good to have the freedom and flexibility. As an independent contractor, you completely get to run yourself.

My typical work day when I started the for covid was pretty nice I could start I could work minimal problems. During COVID it was a little scary took some time off. After covid the company's sliding down the hill I found it in my last days that I could no longer make any money I wasn't even making minimum wage I found myself mostly working for free. It wasn't anything I was doing there's a problem where they can authenticate my account with my device therefore they're unable and not willing to make it worth my while to drive so I had to resign from the company because they're technical problems were so extreme and hampered my ability to basically put food on the table pay my bills or anything. Without having the company making it gainful and giving me the work to do I was unable to perform any duties and make any money. And that's the primary purpose while we're at a job is to make money be professional and do it to the best of our ability and I felt I've done this for years with Uber and at this point I'm it's incapable of doing it I have to go elsewhere to find other ways to do it. I don't mean just a slight reduction I mean I'm down to the point where it's $5 or less an hour is what aspect I get to live on and that just isn't going to work for me. So for a person that's made in the equivalency of 120 to 130,000 a year doing this to a point of making 10 to 20,000 under poverty level is pretty amazing. And believe me I've tried for almost 3 months now to make this work. But the company just cannot get beyond I guess the security changes that have occurred because of our current political economic situation. And that's unfortunate that the company cannot find a way to fix the basic nature of being able to follow the technological problems are experiencing. It's amazing. What it came down to is they can't verify my device on electronic means and every time I log in it kicks out my device and I'm unable to perform request for at least 6 to 8 hours a day that leaves me 3 to 4 hours a day to perform and I just can't recompense and be gainful at this position any longer I have to move on. It's financially affecting me a lot so I really need it to find something else it's not working out. And I I've been trying to work with the company on this problem for 2 and 1/2 almost 3 months now and it just isn't going to change So I am looking to move on.

Uber has the potential to be an awesome company. They are staffed with amazing, fun people who work extraordinarily hard, and genuinely want what's best for the company, our customers and our partners alike. 

My organization never felt much of the worst parts of Uber's culture, and the new management team seems to genuinely want to make it a better place to work, and has already taken great strides towards growing Uber into a mature and respectful workplace.

However, despite their efforts to reform workplace culture, communication remains tricky at the best of times, and nearly impossible at it's worst. More than once I found out about a major change in service or promotion from one of our customers, rather than the team responsible, and there have been times when something changed, and then changed again, without us ever learning about the intermediate steps. 

Effective communication with other organizations within the company could, at times, mean struggling to find one responsive person, and there was a lot of duplicated work due to a lack of an easy way to find answers to some questions. 

Finally, though it's improving, there was a serious lack of training for all of the roles I occupied in the company. For my final position, my first official training came almost 6 months after taking the role, much  of which I spent without a direct manager, and some of which I spent without a senior manager on top of that, with little to no communication about when that might change.

I strongly believe that Uber has the potential to be one of the best companies in the world to work for, but it still has some ways to go before it gets there.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Driver 71 salaries reported	$21.64 per hour
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Senior software engineer 33 salaries reported	$195,748 per year
Account executive 9 salaries reported	$66,778 per year

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