The digital gig economy has significantly risen, with businesses like Uber Eats and DoorDash experiencing substantial growth.
However, this boom has brought along various concerns, especially regarding the vetting of drivers employed by these platforms.
The Issue
A pressing issue is that individuals are letting others who cannot pass a background check, sign up for DoorDash or Uber Eats under their name. This situation has led to unexpected drivers showing up at customers’ doors, raising safety and security concerns.
The video creator who explains the situation, saying,
“And so, if you’re a person who only gives directions to get to your apartment to women, and you open your door to Ebony, but Ebony happens to be Steve, that’s not okay!”
The creator further urges these companies to take action, highlighting the importance of thorough background checks. We will explain both companies background check processes.
Customer Experiences
Customers have shared their unsettling experiences with unexpected drivers. Some have been approached for personal contact information, while others have faced uncomfortable situations with drivers who were not the individuals listed on the app.
These instances underline the need for more stringent vetting processes and enforcing rules regarding driver profiles and background checks.
The Call for Action
There is a need for Uber Eats and DoorDash to address this issue promptly. The companies have yet to respond to the concerns, leaving customers uncertain and uncomfortable.
The situation calls for immediate action to ensure the safety and security of customers using these platforms for food delivery services.
Ensuring drivers match their profiles and have passed appropriate background checks is paramount to maintaining trust and safety standards in the gig economy.
Mismatched Driver Profiles: A Concern for Safety
A Reddit user shared their experience on the UberEATS subreddit, expressing concern over a mismatch between the driver profile and the actual delivery person.
The user ordered Starbucks via UberEATS, and the app showed that the driver was a female, new to the job with less than 50 deliveries.
However, the user’s Ring camera footage revealed a male driver delivering the order, alone in the vehicle. This discrepancy raised questions and concerns about safety and the authenticity of driver profiles on delivery platforms.
The user was in a dilemma about reporting the incident, as the order was delivered, albeit placed in a precarious position that almost led to it toppling over.
Background Checks for Uber Eats Drivers
Before being approved to deliver for Uber Eats, all driver applicants must pass an extensive background check. This background check is conducted by a third-party company called Checkr that screens for any disqualifying criminal history or motor vehicle records.
The background check process typically takes 3-5 business days to complete, but can sometimes take longer during high volume times. Uber Eats will review your report from Checkr before making a final determination on approval.
During the background check, Checkr will search for any felony convictions, violent crimes, sexual offenses, and other serious criminal records going back at least 7 years. Your motor vehicle report is also screened for major violations in the past 7 years, such as DUIs, reckless driving, and excessive speeding.
Minor traffic violations may be allowed, but any prospective driver with more than 3 minor traffic incidents in the past 3 years could be disqualified.
Overall, Uber Eats has strict background check standards in order to protect customers and maintain safety. Drivers must consent to both a criminal record check and driving history review before approval.
Background Checks for DoorDash Drivers
DoorDash also requires all of its delivery drivers (called Dashers) to undergo a background check before being approved to make deliveries. This ensures rider safety and quality control across the platform.
The background check typically takes 3-5 business days to complete and includes a driving record check, criminal history check, and identification check. DoorDash uses Checkr to conduct the screening.
Disqualifying factors include major driving violations like DUIs and reckless driving within the past 7 years. A pattern of minor violations can also lead to disqualification. Felonies, violent crimes, drug offenses, and sexual abuse will also result in rejection of a Dasher application.
DoorDash conducts periodic background checks ⁵ on active Dashers to ensure continued eligibility. Maintaining a clean driving record and criminal history is important for passing the initial and ongoing DoorDash background checks required for delivery drivers.
Community Responses: Varied Opinions
The community’s response to the situation was mixed. Some users suggested letting it be, emphasizing the challenging times and the need for people to make money. They highlighted the possibility of a husband and wife team or other valid explanations for the discrepancy.
Others pointed out the potential safety issues and urged the original poster to report the incident. They emphasized that Uber provides an option to report such issues for a reason, and ensuring the correct person is making the delivery is crucial for safety and accountability.
The discussion reflects the perspectives on the importance of accurate driver profiles and the steps customers should take when discrepancies occur.
Sources
- reddit.com/r/UberEATS/comments/nkrmkh/driver_profile_didnt_match_delivery_person/
- uberpeople.net/threads/driver-profile-picture-did-not-match-driver-that-picked-me-up.224513/
- ctvnews.ca/canada/ottawa-woman-feels-misled-by-uber-eats-driver-1.3838905/
- millennialmoneyman.com/how-long-does-uber-eats-background-check-take/
- help.doordash.com/dashers/s/article/Dasher-Background-Check-FAQ
This article was produced and syndicated by Viral Chatter. It was inspired by this video:
@llzklifestyle @Uber @Uber Eats @Lyft @DoorDash care to comment?? And y’all letting this happen… there’s a reason he can’t pass a #backgroundcheck #Uber #lyft #doordash #ubereats #epidemic #atlantalifestyle #lifestyleblogging #atlantalifestyleblogger #notokay #safetytips #safetyissue
♬ original sound – LLZK
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
