On Uber's FAQ page, the ride-sharing company rhetorically asks a question which asks if passengers need to pay tips to their drivers. "You don't need cash when you ride with Uber. Once you arrive at your destination, your fare is automatically charged to your credit card on file—there's no need to tip," writes Uber.
But starting Friday, there is now a need to tip.
As a part of a $100 million settlement case (actually $84 million for now plus $16 million add-ons if and when Uber goes public) announced Thursday night between Uber and its drivers based in California and Massachusetts, Uber will be allowed to keep its drivers under an independent contractor classification rather than an employee.
But by keeping its precious contractor label, thus avoiding being subject under a myriad of employee protections like overtime and health care, Uber is making small but important changes. For one, Uber can neither deactivate drivers at will or for not accepting a minimum percentage of ride requests they receive.
The company will also form and recognize an appeals panel of drivers and a driver association to engage with in "good-faith discussions" on a quarterly basis. Those who drove more than 25,000 miles will receive over $8,000 in compensation.
But more pertinently to tipping, Uber will now notify riders that the tip is not included in the fares.
"Drivers will be able to place signs in their cars informing riders that tips are not included, and while they are not required, they would be appreciated," says Shannon Liss-Riordan, the attorney representing the drivers, in a statement. "By Uber making clear to riders that tips are not included, we believe that many riders will now tip their Uber drivers because riders have been under the impression from Uber's prior communications that tips are included in the fares."
Uber founder and CEO Travis Kalanick made no mention of drivers asking for tips on his statement about the settlements. "Uber is a new way of working: it's about people having the freedom to start and stop work when they want, at the push of a button," Kalanick writes.
Uber's main competitor in the United States, Lyft, has had a tip option at the end of the ride. Kalanick has long resisted the idea of Uber asking for tips and previously included tipping calculated into the fare, which was the impetus for the lawsuit.
For the passengers who want to stick to the tipless halcyon days, they may face dire consequences by drivers giving them lower passenger ratings. With Uber drivers no longer fearing getting fired with they do not pick up a certain percentage of requests, they will feel more empowered to decline the tipless than ever.
Liss-Riordan hinted that while this battle may be over, the war has just begun. "Importantly, the case is being settled—not decided," she writes. "No court has decided here whether Uber drivers are employees or independent contractors and that debate will not end here."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Seung Lee is a San Francisco-based staff writer at Newsweek, who focuses on consumer technology. He has previously worked at the ... Read more
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