Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE:UBER) has reached an agreement with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today. It is a settlement that has seen Uber pay up to $4.4 million after allegations of sexual harassment in its business.
Turn of events
Problems started when fingers started pointing to the company over several scandals. Investigations into the activities of the company started right in 2017. At this point, Uber understood that sexual harassment and retaliation in its service delivery had gotten worse. EEOC filed charges against this service provider, a matter that triggered Uber to act.
Sexual harassment and retaliation happen to have eaten Uber to the core. For instance, a former engineer working with it called Susan Fowler struggled with sexism. She revealed that through one of her publications outlining that the company needed an overhaul its administration. Fowler said that it was unfortunate what women went through every day. She outlined that she was one of the few bold enough to speak out on the evils of sexism and sexual harassment. Quite a significant number die in silence, according to the former engineer.
Investigators representing the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission took Fowler’s publication about her misery with seriousness. They used it to their advantage to press down Uber and spark change.
EEOC discovered that what happened to the engineer and many others was a violation of Title VII under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Uber felt cornered and agreed to make a payment of $4.4 million. This money was to be used as a source of compensation for the affected persons.
Plans into the future
The body said that it would consider all persons that had undergone sexual harassment and retaliation. However, it was specific on time. It would only compensate those that reported after January 1, 2014.
Uber wants to restore its image, adding that it won’t let it be tainted again by selfish officials. It is investigating to identify persons that have been victims of sexual harassment twice or even more.
It will also be seeking to take stern action on managers that never played their roles effectively. Reports indicate that a significant number got reports about sexual harassment and retaliation but failed to act.
