On: Uber Using Driver Phones as a Backup Datacenter

[janesvilleseo]

Or maybe they are using it as a screening device for "better" drivers. I keep hearing that when Uber comes to a new city, the pay is pretty good so it attracts non-ESL speaking drivers. Maybe this is just a barrier to enter the marketplace to maintain those 'better' drivers. Probably not, but I wouldn't be surprised.

[walshemj → janesvilleseo]

That's the elephant no one is talking about Uber is obviously going to be attractive to those in the black economy.

I wonder if Uber realizes in the uk they will be on the hook if they employ those with out the right to work.

[mahyarm → walshemj]

So if you hire a guy on the road to help you move, are you responsible to verify his immigration status?

I think these ride sharing apps also report giving you money as required by law, and you have to put in such info as an SSN in the USA so they can do background checks. I'm pretty sure they also do background checks in the UK and part of that will be your immigration status. It's just they are efficient and automated in doing so, so it seems like they don't check anything because of the speed.

[walshemj → mahyarm]

Yes and in the UK its strict liability there isn't a defence of good faith if you accept fake id's even if its a very good fake your liable for I think a £10K fine

[dreamfactory2 → walshemj]

does that apply to contractors?

[walshemj → dreamfactory2]

To the employers and I suspect that HRMC will class Uber drivers as employees as they did for Contractors in IT

[JupiterMoon → janesvilleseo]

Or they could just pay their good employees better and then fire the poor ones.

P.S. I know that they claim that their drivers are not employees but if it walks like an employee and talks like an employee it's an employee.

[HappyTypist → JupiterMoon]

Please pay me per hour or give me a salary, I must be missing it. Oh wait, drivers are paid per ride, can start and stop work at any time, and can work other apps simultaneously.

What job lets you work with competitors while you are working?

[HappyTypist → JupiterMoon]

Please pay me per hour or give me a salary, I must be missing it. Oh wait, drivers are paid per ride, can start and stop work at any time, and can work

[wavefunction → JupiterMoon]

I made this point upthread but contractors are free to use whatever tools they like to accomplish their tasks, by law.

Full-time employees are subject to using specified equipment by the employer.

[rco8786 → wavefunction]

Not exactly how it works.

Contractors can choose but it doesn't mean they can choose tools that don't do the job. If part f the job is storing backup data on a phone the tool needs to be a phone capable of storing backup data.

[HappyTypist → rco8786]

The biggest argument I've seen for uber drivers being contractors is that they can work for competitors at the same time. Any employee would get fired pretty quickly.

[mjcohen → JupiterMoon]

Only if it gets paid like an employee.