Dive Brief:
- Uber released a diversity report showing little progress, but has vowed to change its "pumped up" and "be hustlin'" attitude, reports the New York Times.
- The ride-hailing company has issued apologies and is investigating its workplace practices, following sexual harassment allegations and internal complaints about its "red meat" culture, says the Times.
- Uber’s lackluster diversity report represents the tech industry’s numbers overall. Women make up 36% of Uber's staff, while men hold 85% of all tech jobs. In the U.S., 50% of tech staff is white, 31% Asian, 9% African American and 6% Latino or Hispanic.
Dive Insight:
The publicly embattled Uber admitted engaging in bad business behavior, but it might also be an example of how troubled employers can resurrect themselves. The first principle in ethical business practices is to tell the truth. Uber CEO Travis Kalanick promised more transparency.
Uber admission admitted to having a negligent HR office, which ignored employees’ sexual misconduct claims. HR has a legal and ethical responsibility to take every allegation seriously, investigate and take enforcement action when necessary. Uber reportedly let several months pass before replacing its chief HR executive. When it finally did replace its top HR exec with Liane Hornsey, it wisely allowed her to publicly address the company’s culture, diversity results, internal investigation and solutions for systemic changes.
Uber isn't the only Silicon Valley company facing scrutiny. THINX recently got in trouble over sexual harassment claims because they didn't have an HR person at all. Sounds like a pattern to us.
