A UK drivers' union issued a statement Wednesday accusing Uber of making it impossible for drivers to claim the sick leave promised to them if they contract coronavirus.
Uber announced on March 7 it would compensate drivers diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. Uber's policy for allowing drivers to claim sick pay requires either:
- Documentation from a licensed medical provider or public health authority with a diagnosis of COVID-19, or;
- An order by a licensed medical provider or public health authority requiring you to self-isolate.
Uber said its financial assistance would be available globally.
But UPHD, a UK union for private hire drivers, has noted that it would be tough for UK drivers to prove they're sick from the coronavirus.
The official UK government advice for anyone who suspects they might have the virus is to self-isolate immediately, and not go to the doctor or hospital unless absolutely necessary. This means drivers won't necessarily obtain a formal diagnosis or obtain the documentation necessary to claim sick pay.
It's possible Uber might fine-tune its approach to coronavirus sick pay in different markets. Uber did not comment on the UPHD's statement directly when approached by Business Insider, but a spokesman said:
"We are supporting drivers and couriers who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in quarantine by a public health authority. Drivers and couriers in these situations will receive compensation for a period of up to 14 days. This has already begun in some markets and we are working to implement mechanisms to do this worldwide. We believe this is the right thing to do."
UPHD chair James Farrar — a former Uber driver who successfully sued the company for better rights — criticized the firm. "If Uber can't provide sick pay and respect the legal right of drivers to earn at least the minimum wage even during this time of pandemic, then when can we ever trust them to do the right thing?" he said in a statement.
"It's time for the government and licensing authorities like Transport for London to step in and insist on a fair deal for drivers as an on-going condition of licensing for Uber," he added.
Uber has twice had its license revoked in London by the city's transport body, Transport for London.
Uber is currently in the process of appealing its latest loss of license, during which time it is allowed to operate.
