I've got some rare kudos to give Uber because they finally fixed something important. Credit is due where credit is due. But let me explain.

A Pleasant Surprise from Uber

So, a few days back, I was cashing out my earnings in New York—one of the perks we get here is the ability to cash out daily for free, thanks to a settlement with the state of New York that allows us to avoid transaction fees. Anyway, I noticed an extra $77 in my account. Initially, I was puzzled because I hadn't done any Uber Eats runs in about four months. Then it hit me—this amount sounded familiar.

The Mystery $77

I realized this was connected to my recent sick leave claim. In New York, we're entitled to sick leave paid at about $26.78 per hour. I had claimed my sick leave, which involves submitting a request through the Uber app and providing documentation, but Uber only paid me $211 instead of the $398 I calculated they owed me.

Breaking Down the Numbers

After some math and digging through the App, I discovered that Uber recalculated my active time rate to $36.08 per hour, which adjusted my owed amount to $288. This rate is based on the time I spend driving passengers, not the time I spend waiting for a ride. They had initially paid me $211, so the balance was $77.52—which they deposited into my account.

Here's the kicker: the payment showed up as an Uber Eats payout, which is a separate service from regular Uber rides. This must be clarified because it can be confusing for drivers who don't do Uber Eats deliveries. But I got my money, so that's the critical part.

Thanks to the Community

Big shoutout to Sergio from The Rideshare Guy and the Show Me the Money Club. Sergio saw my video and pushed this issue forward, helping many drivers. The support and solidarity from the community, including other drivers who had already filed claims with New York State, is truly heartening.

Lyft vs. Uber

Interestingly, every driver in my market says that Lyft gets it right the first time. When they make a claim, they get the exact amount immediately, whereas with Uber, it takes a couple of days and often requires follow-up. For example, one driver I know had a similar sick leave claim with Lyft and was paid the correct amount within 24 hours, while another driver had to wait a week and make several phone calls to Uber to get their claim resolved. So, while Uber is making progress, there's still room for improvement.

What Uber Still Needs to Fix

1. Transparency: Uber should clearly notify us why we're receiving payments. A surprise $77 is nice, but not when you have to play detective to understand it.

2. Active Time Display: We need a straightforward way to see our active time in the App without fumbling through endless rides and calculations.

3. Consistency: Ensuring every driver can access their earnings and sick leave calculations without needing spreadsheets and manual math would be a game-changer.

Wrapping Up

So, thank you, Uber, for fixing this issue. It's a step in the right direction. But let's not stop here. We need to keep pushing for better transparency and support for drivers. Remember, without us, Uber doesn't have a business. We need each other to succeed. Our advocacy is crucial.

And to all my fellow drivers, stay safe and keep thriving. Let's continue supporting each other and pushing for the necessary changes. Thanks for tuning in to today's Daily Drive.

Be well and drive safe,

Levi