I'd rather crawl than use Uber.
2
"Mr. Kalanick, who has worked nonstop since Uber’s founding in 2009"
Kalanick has regularly bragged about being one of the all time high scorers on the Nintendo Wii Tennis game, an achievement that surely required thousands of hours.
Please stop pushing the corporate line about tech executives working "nonstop".
Kalanick has regularly bragged about being one of the all time high scorers on the Nintendo Wii Tennis game, an achievement that surely required thousands of hours.
Please stop pushing the corporate line about tech executives working "nonstop".
2
This is excellent news for anyone who cares about American workers! Uber management in general, and Travis Kalanick and Emil Michael in particular, represent everything that is inherently destructive and morally repugnant about contemporary "gig economy" capitalism. The sooner they, and Uber, are gone, the better.
6
I drive for Uber, part time, for extra spending money. I went into it knowing exactly what I was getting into and I feel that most of the drivers did as well. There aren't that many companies that allow you to work when you want, get paid instantly and when you want. Just don't do this full time.
On a side note, Travis Kalamick is not one of the founders of the company. He came in early and took over the reigns as CEO and, well, we all know what happend after that.
On a side note, Travis Kalamick is not one of the founders of the company. He came in early and took over the reigns as CEO and, well, we all know what happend after that.
UBER an insult to capitalism??? Whos capitalism? This company seems to be a model OF modern-day capitalism. The biggest problem is the CEO has made enemies along the way and if hes not careful theyll tear him and UBER TO SHREDS.
3
...another corporation without a conscience.
6
It does indeed seem to be "a model of modern-day capitalism," all right; create something for which there is no regulation yet, and therefore hope to have no rules to break, such as labor rules, insurance rules, vehicle maintenance rules, and even rules about who is actually 'an employee'; disempower all employees at the bottom (without whom you would not have a business), treat them poorly, and pay them very little, while siphoning off most all profits to those at the top; lie when caught in illegal activity (greyballing), plead ignorance and blame it on others when lying doesn't work, and even if you eventually either settle a suit against you or are actually convicted of something, never take responsibility no matter what. Oh, yes--and then start another company...
4
His willingness to change is irrelevant, his ability to change having reached the age of 40 with these attitudes is clear.
6
Interesting that this article says next to nothing about the people who drive for Uber, contractors who struggle to survive on low gig economy wages. And if the pay isn't lousy enough, Uber added insult by stealing some of it, resulting in class action lawsuits and at least one big payout so far. Have we forgotten Kalanick's callous treatment of the driver who stood up to him and questioned company policies that make Kalanick wealthier while sending many of its drivers on a one-way trip to the poorhouse?
Uber may offer a handy service, but at what price to society? Kalanick is an example of corporate excess in an economy that praises the wealthy for being wealthy and blames everyone else while they grind away at two part-time jobs and still can't make ends meet.
Uber may offer a handy service, but at what price to society? Kalanick is an example of corporate excess in an economy that praises the wealthy for being wealthy and blames everyone else while they grind away at two part-time jobs and still can't make ends meet.
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Well said Valerie!
3
Uhhh how are you supposed to sustain a living on a "Par-Time" job? Hence the definition of PART time. Getting a SECOND Part-Time job would mean you are working FULL time and earning enough to "make ends meet" if not exceed your ends.
Uber is not hailing itself as a Full Time answer for all people. They are offering a more than competitive wage and opportunity to the masses. This is a job that is not intended to involve a pay structure that rewards development but rather a fulfillment of a service.
I really cannot understand how people are upset with the pay structure and better said the FREEDOM structure they give to these independent contractors. They decide when they work, where they work and how long they work for. Talk about a great gig that allows for flexibility? Try to get those conditions at any other Part time or FULL time gig?
Uber is not hailing itself as a Full Time answer for all people. They are offering a more than competitive wage and opportunity to the masses. This is a job that is not intended to involve a pay structure that rewards development but rather a fulfillment of a service.
I really cannot understand how people are upset with the pay structure and better said the FREEDOM structure they give to these independent contractors. They decide when they work, where they work and how long they work for. Talk about a great gig that allows for flexibility? Try to get those conditions at any other Part time or FULL time gig?
2
Uber is the equivalent of that company that sent Sigourney Weaver and her band of space travelers to that remote planet where they unwittingly brought back the alien, so that it could conceivable make a fortune from their misery; That respective company is the blueprint for Guber, er Uber!!!
3
One interesting data point would be to look at the market share of Lyft and Uber in San Francisco (Ubers first market). I get the distinct impression that Uber's scandal of the day, combined with driver dissatisfaction has led to significant market share gains for Lyft. I know a lot of people who used to take Uber, who now prefer Lyft's "friendly" image over Uber's. I am guessing that business issues are contributing to the radical decision for Kalanick to step away (pure speculation on my part).
5
Your misinformed. No such decision has been made. He is also
Dealing with the loss of his mother. Uber paid the way for Lyft. They should be grateful. But the PC police have struck so watch out uber.
Dealing with the loss of his mother. Uber paid the way for Lyft. They should be grateful. But the PC police have struck so watch out uber.
1
@Ned Flarbus: Excite, Lycos, Yahoo and AltaVista paid the way for Google, but Google won in the end. Just because Uber paid the way doesn't mean they should win in the end. There is nothing PC about being concerned about personal privacy which Uber disregarded (https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2014/10/03/god-view-uber-allege... or the other many other things Uber has been accused of. The directors are not weighing a 3 month leave of absence because of Kalanick's mother dying. They are weighing a 3 month leave of absence and due to the report of Eric Holder Jr. Are they considering forcing out Emil Michael because he was so torn up by Kalanick's mother passing that he wasn't able to work effectively? Come on, I wasn't born yesterday.
2
Lyft is surging in San Fransisco... The data points are available. Lyft's friendlier brand is compelling, especially for women.
2
I have founded a number of businesses, some successful, some not. One of the common themes I have discovered, which I happily share with others who seek my advice, is the importance of shared values. Two things are apparent at Uber. First, the values are clear and widely shared. Second, the values are an absolute disgrace and will ultimately lead to failure.
27
Uber is always voted one of the top companies to work at. Everyone I know there loves it. Their only complaint is about the media/NYT-led PC witchhhunt that is impeding the companies mission which is honorable.
5
Ned, you can't be serious. Uber is an insult to capitalism. Take it from someone who knows the Company intimately, as a so-called "partner". Uber is dishonest, unethical, and believes it is above the law. It is the corporate equivalent of Donald Trump.
13
"Ned Flarbus" doesn't exist according to Google, so I took a quick stroll through LinkedIn. I will bet you $10 that "Ned" here is actually Gus Fuldner, head of insurance for Uber. And desperately trying to spin some damage control in these comments.
7
There are about 27 million businesses in the United States. To judge by their media profile, Uber is responsible for about half of the corporate evildoing. Is it really plausible that we managed to stuff all of our bad people (well, those with jobs anyway) into one company?
2
(I should add that I have no affiliation with Uber other than being a customer when I travel (I don't use the service when I'm in Boston because, apparently, I enjoy paying $38 to park). Uber completely changes the experience of being an independent traveler in a country where one doesn't speak the language. In Moscow recently, for example, I was able to get around without being able to read signs or speak to drivers.)
10
Shut the whole operation down.
6
He can always find a job in the Trump Administration
16
He was given a job but resigned on principle. Any more comments smarty pants?
1
Ned, you missed ExPeterC's point which was that Travis and Trump are birds of the same feather. So no need to take his point literally, much less respond the way you did. To be clear, Travis did not have a "job" with the Trump Administration, nor did he resign from his advisory role on principle. Nothing Travis or Uber does could ever remotely be associated with principle. I suggest you re-think all of your views related to Uber.
9
The culture that Kalanick created at his business is too toxic for him to stay on. In this current marketplace where respect and dignity for all stakeholders (customers, contractors, employees and others) matters, the only way that Uber may assure itself of its long term viability is to force Kalanick to resign.
14