This interview is a part of our newest Girls and Management particular report, which highlights ladies making important contributions to the key tales unfolding on the planet right this moment. The dialog has been edited and condensed.
Jill Hazelbaker, 40, a former political spokeswoman, is the senior vice chairman of promoting and public affairs for Uber.
You joined Uber in 2015 when it was underneath scrutiny for a office tradition the place sexual harassment towards ladies and discrimination had been stated to be widespread. Did that issue into the discharge of Uber’s first Security Report in 2019 addressing incidents of sexual assaults and different issues of safety on rides?
There isn’t any query that issues occurred within the firm that weren’t OK. We would have liked to get our home so as internally after which repair it externally. I took it as a chance to attempt to make a profound affect.
Are you able to clarify the report’s methodology?
We examined knowledge from 2017 and 2018, when a median of three.1 million journeys passed off day by day within the U.S. We checked out critical security incidents reported on the platform from riders and drivers, together with important crashes, sexual assaults and bodily assaults. And we additionally collaborated with exterior consultants and third-party organizations.
The report revealed that Uber is protected, and statistically talking, incidents are uncommon: 99.9 p.c of Uber journeys ended with none safety-related challenge, and 0.0003 p.c of journeys had a report of a crucial security incident.
However even one incident is simply too many, so it was about what new approaches we may take.
And what had been a few of these approaches?
One of many huge points is confirming who your driver is, so Confirm Your Trip permits riders to confirm every trip with a four-digit PIN that they verbally present to their driver, who should enter it into their very own app in an effort to begin the journey. We even have an In App Emergency Button that connects riders and drivers to 911. In some cities, journey particulars and site will be shared robotically with first responders, or riders and drivers can ship a textual content message to 911.
One other function is Share My Journey, the place riders and drivers can share with relations or pals who can comply with their journey in actual time and know after they’ve arrived.
You’ve got stated that you will replace the report. Are you able to be extra particular about when?
We’ve dedicated to releasing Security Studies each two years. We depend on knowledge from the federal authorities, which has been delayed however is predicted to be launched quickly. As soon as that knowledge is launched, we’ll finalize and challenge our subsequent report, possible this spring.
You additionally stated you’ll search a method to share the names of drivers who had been accused of rape with rivals, in order that they don’t merely transfer to a different hailing service.
Sure, because the report was launched, we launched the Trade Sharing Security Program. This allows corporations to trade fundamental details about drivers and supply individuals who have been deactivated for critical security incidents to assist forestall these people from working on one other platform.
You’ve steered Uber via progress, difficult moments and one of many largest tech preliminary public choices in historical past (in Could 2019). What’s the largest problem you see for Uber?
I believe a significant problem and alternative is to meaningfully enhance the established order for individuals who work on platforms like ours. In the present day, Uber is likely one of the largest sources of labor — of any sort — on the planet. From 2016 to 2021, greater than 31 million folks earned $177 billion on Uber, drawn by the independence and adaptability of the work.
That form of flexibility is one thing extra folks have come to understand through the pandemic, however drivers and couriers have at all times understood that being unbiased shouldn’t imply being by yourself. That’s why our coverage groups the world over are combating for a greater deal for gig financial system staff; you possibly can nonetheless be unbiased, however you additionally get advantages and protections.
We’ve made plenty of progress, nevertheless it’s going to take time. Finally, I imagine we’ll succeed as a result of it’s what the drivers and supply folks themselves inform us that they need.
How vital are Uber Eats and Uber’s different providers?
Pre-pandemic, our supply enterprise was rising at a wholesome charge however was nonetheless very a lot the “little sibling” to our mobility enterprise. As Covid hit, and folks stopped shifting round their cities, we actually leaned in, and Uber Eats turned even bigger than our international mobility enterprise was earlier than the pandemic started. Now we’re leaning in once more to rework supply into different classes similar to grocery, comfort, alcohol, pharmacy and extra.
Earlier than Uber, you had a profession in politics wherein you served because the press secretary to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York and because the nationwide communications director for Senator John McCain’s presidential marketing campaign. You additionally labored for Google and Snap. What do you suppose attracts you to politics and aggressive enterprise environments?
I like being on the heart of the motion as a result of that’s the place the affect is — and that’s the place change is born. It’s simple to criticize from the sidelines, nevertheless it’s no substitute for getting within the sport your self.
What’s your recommendation to ladies who may select your path and pursue high-stakes jobs?
Be simple on your self. And do the issues that carry you pleasure. These are onerous jobs that require nice vitality and focus. You’re not going to get it proper 100% of the time, and for those who can’t snicker alongside the best way, you’ll drive your self completely loopy.
As a mum or dad of three kids underneath the age of 6, you’ve advocated for ladies in tech. What recommendation do you give to moms who need to tackle management roles?
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In my time at Uber, I’ve had six rounds of [fertility treatments] and three kids. My household and my profession carry me immense pleasure, however I’m not going to fake that at factors it hasn’t been unbelievably onerous. We’ve glamorized this concept of “having all of it” when, I believe, we ought to be rather more clear concerning the actuality: “Stability” requires plenty of help and is usually elusive.
Supply: NY Times