According to Reuters and Bloomberg, Uber is implementing a new policy to mandate that drivers in the UK take at least a six-hour break after working a 10-hour continuous shift. This new policy is expected to go in effect beginning next week.
If you think you’ll be able to circumvent these rules, there’s some bad news for you. This won’t just be a breather because drivers will be unable to log into the Uber app and accept rides during the rest period. This basically means that the company is forcing UK drivers to take a break, regardless if you need it or not.
“While drivers only spend an average of 30 hours a week logged into our app, we want to do our part to ensure they don’t drive tired,” Uber’s UK head of policy Andrew Byrne said. “That’s why we’ve been sending drivers regular reminders to take rest breaks and why we’re now bringing in these new limits,” he added.
Uber is implementing this new policy to help reduce tiredness and exhaustion in its workers while they work on roads. Public safety is one of the top most concerns that led to London stripping Uber of its operating license. Uber is appealing that decision and will have a major impact on how the company operates in Europe. The company is already enforcing similar policy on shift breaks in other markets.
