Uber Budges, a Bit, on Virus Sick Pay for California Drivers
- Agreement was negotiated after company was sued in the state
- Ride-hailing firm has resisted employee benefits for drivers
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Uber Technologies Inc. pledged to make it easier for California drivers to get sick pay if they fall ill from the coronavirus.
Uber told drivers in its home state that it will pay three days, or 24 hours, of sick leave at $15 per hour for those who self-certify they have been diagnosed with Covid-19, or have experienced symptoms of the coronavirus. They don’t need a doctor’s note or any documentation to get the pay.
The ride-hailing giant had been prodded by a federal judge to loosen its restrictions on sick leave after a driver sued to force the company to change its policy. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen said April 1 he was reluctant to grant such an order because it might undercut the funding drivers would receive from a federal emergency law. Instead, Chen pressed the company to negotiate a compromise.
The change in the sick-pay policy was confirmed by Shannon Liss-Riordan, the lawyer representing the drivers who sued. In related suits brought by Liss-Riordan, Uber continues to push back against a new California law that makes it harder for companies to claim their workers are independent contractors rather than employees entitled to full workplace rights.