Uber gives drivers in Europe medical cover and parental leave - expert comment from Warwick Business School
Expert comment from the University of Warwick on Uber giving drivers in Europe medical cover and parental leave, by Dr Mareike Mohlmann, of Warwick Business School, who has researched how Uber manages its drivers. She is also Assistant Professor of Information Systems & Management.
Dr Mareike Mohlmann said: "From a cost-benefit point of view, it might be a smart move of Uber to invest in such schemes in the long run.
"Fixing its damaged public image might be a preventive strategy in order to avoid 'extreme' policy responses that might substantially damage its business success, as seen when Uber lost its licence to operate in London in 2017.
"It is not easy to tell how the proposed scheme of Uber drivers having access to sick pay, parental leave, and bereavement payments will unfold in practice.
"Uber drivers are supposed to contribute to the scheme by paying a share of the costs. If Uber is planning to contribute by subsidising the scheme this might be good news for drivers.
"After numerous scandals in the last couple of months the company is obviously seeking to fix its public image by engaging in social responsibility."