Uber Fires Drivers Based On ‘Racially Biased’ Star Rating System, Lawsuit Claims

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A new federal lawsuit alleges that Uber’s «star rating» system discriminates against drivers of color and drivers with accents. According to the suit, Uber terminates drivers whose ratings get too low.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

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BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Technology
Uber And Lyft Must Make Drivers Employees, California Court Rules

A ballot initiative, known as Proposition 22, carves out an exception to a new state law that would force companies like Uber to convert its drivers from independent contractors to employees.

Critics of the proposition say ride-hailing companies are attempting to avoid providing its drivers benefits like paid sick leave, unemployment protection and health insurance.

Backers say drivers prefer flexibility over employee status. App-based companies Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart have pumped nearly $200 million to persuade voters to pass the proposition that effectively creates a legal loophole for ridesharing and delivery companies.

Uber and Lyft and threatened to leave California altogether if the measure fails. Last week, a state appeals court affirmed a lower court ruling that ridesharing drivers are central to the companies’ business and therefore should be afforded employee benefits.

• star ratings
• discrimination lawsuit
• Uber