If Uber riders accidentally leave their smartphones or any other items in an Uber car, the ride-hailing company might charge them $15 when they get their items returned by the driver. This is just one of the changes that will be implemented in August as part of company’s mission to improve their relationship with their drivers. Uber is also implementing a 24/7 driver support hotline and faster documentation of reviews. The $15 fee will be given to drivers that return items to their rightful owner.
Don't forget your belongings
Prior to this new policy, when riders forgot their phones inside an Uber car, they would have to plead with the driver to return the items.
Sometimes the driver eventually returned the items, however, more often than not, drivers opted not to return the belongings. With the new policy, drivers can report to Uber that they have returned an item to a passenger and be credited $15 for their trouble. The driver will then receive the compensation a few days after the passenger is charged. However, an uber driver said that that amount is not really enough for an hour of lost time just to return an item, especially when compared to spending the same amount of time giving rides to passengers.
Uber addresses driver feedback
The ride-hailing giant doesn’t exactly have an ideal relationship with their drivers. To fix this problem, the company will also implement a 24/7 driver support hotline.
Uber is known for their slow responses when it comes to addressing drivers’ concerns and inquiries. With the implementation of the hotline, issues could be resolved in a more timely manner – at least in theory. Moreover, the company also implemented an in-app tipping option last month.
Improving the company’s image
The company has been trying their best to improve their reputation amid all the controversies they have faced for the past several months.
Higher-ups within the company have been accused of sexual harassment -- leading to the eventual exit of their former CEO (Travis Kalanick) and others.
Earlier this year, Uber was given a fine of $20 million for providing incorrect information to their drivers regarding their potential income as independent contractors. Harry Campbell, an Uber driver who also runs his own blog, said that: “They are fixing things around the edges, but at the end of the day, the things drivers care about are those affecting their bottom line,” according to a report by Business Insider.
