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Uber has recently gotten some serious backlash over their coronavirus policies–specifically how they are impacting Uber drivers. With the spread of COVID-19, many Uber drivers have been recommended to stay home, but getting financial assistance from Uber during this time has proven to be a challenge.
Recently, Uber has announced policy updates for drivers, stating: "Any driver or delivery person who is diagnosed with COVID‑19 or is individually asked to self‑isolate by a public health authority will receive financial assistance for up to 14 days while their account is on hold."
To qualify for this assistance, the company requires that "You have an active case of COVID-19; or You were individually ordered to self-quarantine because you’re suspected to have an active case of COVID-19; or You were individually ordered to self-quarantine because you have preexisting health conditions that put you at higher risk of serious illness due to COVID-19."
Although these policies might seem standard, drivers have spoken out about the difficulty in actually getting assistance.
CNN explains the long wait time drivers are experiencing after applying for coronavirus pay: "Uber first indicated [the driver] would receive a response in two to five business days, then two to seven business days, then two to 10."
The article continues,"Drivers say they've been given conflicting information about company policies and have had to hound customer support for updates. Some have resorted to tweeting at the companies, in addition to frequently calling and emailing, to draw attention to their claims."
With that in mind, although Uber's policy for assistance seems to be designed to help drivers in need, the reality is that it is hard to actually receive a response to their claims.
