When it comes to confronting issues of racism and systemic inequality, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi puts it bluntly: “You’re probably thinking that Uber is not exactly the company you’d expect to be speaking up on this front,” he writes in a company blog post.
“But after a lot of reflection and change over the last few years, we continue to challenge ourselves to be a different and better company.”
Although Khosrowshahi says Uber has been actively measuring salary data and that the ride-share giant has more diversity on its leadership team than many other Fortune 500 companies, “Black representation and opportunity at Uber is not where we want it to be, especially on our technical teams and in leadership,” he says, adding that the company still receives “unacceptable” reports or racism from both Uber driver and riders.
To help Uber on its journey toward becoming an “anti-racist company,” Khosrowshahi outlines several long-term commitments:
The company plans to double Black representation in leadership – those with director titles or above - by 2025. Also by that target date, Uber will aim to double the talent pipeline by creating avenues for drivers, deliver people and customer support staff to pursue corporate opportunities with the brand.
Uber is also pledging pay equity as well as training for all managers on inclusive management and cross-cultural competency.
The company will also develop anti-racism and unconscious bias training for driving and riders, starting in the United States and Canada, and customer support agents will receive specialized training on bias and discrimination, as well.
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Additionally, Uber will invest $10 million to support Black-owned businesses, through promotions and other merchant support, over the next two years, and it will waive the Uber Eats delivery fee for Black-owned restaurants through 2020.
Uber will also use its technology to “fight racism” through the creation of an inclusivity and accessibility product lead role to help design and build inclusive products, and it will formalize and expand its internal Fairness Working group of data scientists, product managers and operations leaders to advise on building fair and equitable products.
“I’m optimistic these actions will go a long way towards ensuring that everyone who works at or with Uber will be treated equally and feel like they belong,” Khosrowshahi says.
“But today is just one day: it is more important that we follow through, even after it feels like the outrage has cooled and business as usual has returned.”
Uber’s initiatives come as travel brands are being urged to release their diversity metrics as well as their commitments to change as racial inequalities come to the forefront around the world.
Black Travel Alliance, for example, is asking travel brands to highlight their support for Black voices in the travel industry.