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Uber CEO To Take Leave, Diminished Role After Workplace Scandals (bloomberg.com) 86

Posted by msmash from the fixing-things dept.
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick will take a leave of absence from the world's most valuable privately held company, he announced in an email to employees Tuesday. From a report: Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick told staff he plans to take a leave of absence, without disclosing a return date. The company will strip him of some duties and appoint an independent chair to limit his influence after a slew of scandals, according to an advance copy of a report prepared for the board. At a staff meeting Tuesday, the company will convey the results of a probe conducted by Eric Holder, the former U.S. attorney general who Uber hired to look into allegations of harassment, discrimination and an aggressive culture. The 47 recommendations include creating a board oversight committee, rewriting Uber's cultural values, reducing alcohol use at work events, and prohibiting intimate relationships between employees and their bosses. Uber's board met Sunday to review a detailed version of the report and voted unanimously to approve the recommendations. Afterward, the San Francisco-based company ousted Emil Michael, Uber's head of business.
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Uber CEO To Take Leave, Diminished Role After Workplace Scandals More

Uber CEO To Take Leave, Diminished Role After Workplace Scandals

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  • Predictable response (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @01:25PM (#54610859)

    As usual, Slashdot readers will reject that there could be harassment or discrimination against women in the workplace. The male-dominated crowd on this site will spin it as somehow being the result of quotas leading to the hiring of unqualified female engineers. It's a predictable response and one that comes out in every story about discrimination and harassment, regardless of the circumstances and the strength of the evidence to support the claims. I'm not sure why these stories get posted any longer because the response is so predictable, just like a broken record.

    • Re:Predictable response (Score:5, Insightful)

      by fiannaFailMan ( 702447 ) on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @02:00PM (#54611157) Journal

      I agree. At first I thought /. was full of Uber shills, but instead it just seems to be riddled with the same kind of sexist bullshit that I saw in every small or startup company I worked for in the valley.

      • the same kind of sexist bullshit that I saw in every small or startup company I worked for in the valley.

        There is also sexist bullshit outside of SV. I have seen no evidence that sexism is worse in tech than in any other industry. Sexism is a real problem, but it should be addressed as a "human problem" not as a "tech problem".

        • but it should be addressed as a "human problem" not as a "tech problem".

          All problems are ultimately local. Trying to tackle everything at once is far too big of a problem. And I wouldn't have the first clue how to tackle sexism in other industries because I know very little about them. I work in the tech industry, so I can make decisions to make things better in my little corner of it.

          Being a tech site, I imagine most people here are in a similar position.

          TL;DR don't get so overwhelmed trying to fix everyth

          • TL;DR don't get so overwhelmed trying to fix everything that you end up fixing nothing.

            That's not a side-effect, that's the goal. If you want to keep a small problem from getting fixed, tell everyone who tries that they should instead focus on the larger problem.

    • I was going to write a thought out, in depth reply to you countering your points. But then I came to my senses and realized you're not here to listen or discuss or debate. You're here standing on the same kind of soap box that the people you decry in your post are standing on.

      You assume everyone will assume discrimination doesn't exist. You're the same kind of idiot, just pointing the other direction.

  • He'll just pop up somewhere else. Probably as an advisor to the Transport secretary in the current White House (mis)administration.

  • It's time... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by __aaclcg7560 ( 824291 ) on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @01:27PM (#54610879)

    The 47 recommendations include creating a board oversight committee, rewriting Uber's cultural values, reducing alcohol use at work events, and prohibiting intimate relationships between employees and their bosses.

    Time to end being a startup and grow up into a Fortune 500 company. Everyone will attend sensitivity training until that happens.

  • Translation: (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    We'll hide him until this all blows over, then he'll be back like nothing ever happened.

  • Can absolution ever be achieved (Score:3, Interesting)

    by SuperKendall ( 25149 ) on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @01:39PM (#54610987)

    I've seen a lot of liberal friends who were throwing a lot of shade Ubers way after the recent news stories about them and harassment. Many of them said they have switched to Left and will never look back.

    It made me wonder - what can a company even do for absolution once the mob has decided they are to be punished? I wonder if this latest move will make the slightest dent in support of people who were so angry with Uber before. If it's not possible to repair that relationship then, why even bother to do something like have the CEO step back for damage control? It seems like where we are at a company should just ignore the problem and move on accepting some customer losses and minimizing press from their side with any response.

    Myself, I'll continue to use Uber primarily because I have it set up, and I feel like I am helping the drivers more than the company (I always tip Uber drivers now, did not at first).

    Also mustaches on cars creep me out. It's not the color, or I wouldn't be a strong T-Mobile supporter...

    • You might inform them that Lyft is no better. [cnbc.com] The claim that democrats are just as bad as republicans some loony liberals spout makes my head hurt, but this is pretty clear: Lyft is not any better.

      Also, yes, if Uber lasts more than a few weeks after this and doesn't do more shit, everyone will forget about it. It's been, what, a few hours since this guy stepped down after months of denying he's causing problems?

      • Thanks for the article, I find it especially amusing that supporting Lyft (sort of) supports Trump. Going to save that nugget to really press the buttons of a few especially vocal Uber-droppers...

    • Myself, I'll continue to use Uber primarily because I have it set up, and I feel like I am helping the drivers more than the company (I always tip Uber drivers now, did not at first).

      Good, you're not helping them if you're not tipping them. An Uber driver would be lucky to break even without tips, if they account for the cost of owning and maintaining their vehicle.

      • An Uber driver would be lucky to break even without tips, if they account for the cost of owning and maintaining their vehicle.

        That seems very unlikely when you factor in extra income from surge pricing, which all Uber drivers are smart enough to take advantage of.

        Even so every bit helps which is why I tip generously.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by BaronM ( 122102 )

          My issue is that 'no tipping - it's included' is one of the major attractions of Uber. I don't mind paying whatever the fair cost of the service is, but don't ask me to rate and pay your employees, too.

          To address the inevitable: I recognize reality and tip at restaurants, in cabs, Uber drivers, etc. I JUST DON'T LIKE IT. I was very much attracted to a service that factored lair cost in to the base fare, and took off my list of things to think about.

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

      • Change the culture.

        The head of the company stepped down, which means the culture will change. Culture really originates with top executives.

        But that's what I'm really wondering - will that be enough? Should he even have bothered stepping down, if almost no riders who were upset come back? Should they even have bothered to try and fix the culture if they've already had the maximum customer loss they could anyway.

        I mean obviously the culture was messed up and from an ethical standpoint it should be fixed.

    • I've seen a lot of liberal friends who were throwing a lot of shade Ubers way after the recent news stories about them and harassment. Many of them said they have switched to Left and will never look back.

      It made me wonder - what can a company even do for absolution once the mob has decided they are to be punished?

      They need to do the same thing as people need to do, they need to demonstrate that they recognize their prior behaviour is wrong and make a sincere effort to change.

      So far their actions only show they're afraid of the consequences of getting caught, which is better, but it also means the moment they feel the scrutiny is off they're likely to revert to their prior behaviour. Hence the tendency for people like myself to assume that there hasn't been a fundamental change.

      Completely revamping their workplace cu

    • It made me wonder - what can a company even do for absolution once the mob has decided they are to be punished? I wonder if this latest move will make the slightest dent in support of people who were so angry with Uber before.

      I like how you use heavily loaded language ("the mob") there. So of you're not in favour government regulation, and not in favour of people voting with their wallet when they don't like a company's behaviour, what the hell are you in favour of? Rampant,unbridled corporatism?

      • and not in favour of people voting with their wallet

        I am fine with that. I'm just sad that hate mobs form so quickly now and try to utterly destroy a target. Like what happened to Giffords, I din't agree with what she did but I thought the internet came down on her too hard... it happens across the political spectrum, not enough people cut anyone else any slack at all now for the slightest of transgressions.

        Rampant,unbridled corporatism?

        I am the stanchest foe of Corperatism, it's why I could never vote fo

        • I am fine with that. I'm just sad that hate mobs form so quickly now and try to utterly destroy a target.

          So a bunch of your friends not wanting to do business with a blatantly unethical target is now a hate mob trying to destory that guy personally? I reckon you're way oversensitive.

          I am the stanchest foe of Corperatism, it's why I could never vote for a Clinton.

          And so you ended up with someone further down that road than Hillary could ever dream of. Great choice!

          • So a bunch of your friends not wanting to do business with a blatantly unethical target is now a hate mob trying to destory that guy personally?

            Not always, but often, yes.

            I reckon you're way oversensitive.

            Or you've become inured to so much daily hate, that raw hatred seems to you normal and acceptable - like for instance presenting images of decapitated or stabbed presidents... it is sadly typical of my liberal friends they can see nothing wrong with violence that sends a message they enjoy.

            I'm sure you ar

            • Not always, but often, yes.

              Like I said way oversensitive. You're basically defining whatever you don't agree with as "hate".

              Or you've become inured to so much daily hate, that raw hatred seems to you normal and acceptable

              I, like your friends, don't use uber. I don't hate Uber, but they're clearly so lacking in the ethics department that I won't use them. You on the other hand seem to hate your friends:

              ike for instance presenting images of decapitated or stabbed presidents... it is sadly typical of my libera

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by T.E.D. ( 34228 )

      It made me wonder - what can a company even do for absolution once the mob has decided they are to be punished?

      This is why service industry companies that last have PR departments, and move heaven-and-earth to not appear publicly to be douchebags. The free market is SUPPOSED to be a Darwinian environment where in the long-term better companies survive and crappy ones fail. That means from time to time companies that make crappy choices have to fail. That's how the system works. You shouldn't feel sorry for them, but instead cheer the process on. Your pity is better reserved for those abused by the douchebags in the

    • It made me wonder - what can a company even do for absolution once the mob has decided they are to be punished?

      Possibly nothing. It's fairly rare for a company culture that is rotten to suddenly change its ways in a short amount of time. Possible but it doesn't happen often. Uber can do a lot of really hard work to show that they have actually changed their ways and be transparent about how. It's not easy but it has been done in the past. This seems unlikely given Uber's typical disregard for the opinions of others but stranger things have happened.

      If Uber has done the things they are accused of then I'm not su

  • I've got the perfect CEO for you to replace him (Score:5, Funny)

    by elrous0 ( 869638 ) on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @01:40PM (#54611003)

    She's a woman, she's experienced at leading a major corporation, and it just so happens that she's just become available [slashdot.org].

    • Agreed, that would be perfect. At least for those of us who don't work at Uber and are in it for the lulz.

      • Alright, Mr. armchair CEO, what would *you* have done to fix Yahoo?

        • I want to play...

          The prior CEO bought some Alibaba shares. That's actually the reason the company increased in value. Seeing as I have the benefit of hindsight, I'd have gutted Yahoo! like a stuck pig, sold those assets, and bought more shares of Alibaba.

          It would have been spectacular.

        • Alright, Mr. armchair CEO, what would *you* have done to fix Yahoo?

          I have no particular issues with Mayer's performance at Yahoo; as far as I'm concerned, that company probably could not be saved. However, I have heard that she was a difficult person to work for.

    • Maybe Uber could then transition to a media delivery and content company while creating unused APIs and passing out free plastic headscratchers at industry events. Uberrrr! Yodeleheehooo...

  • Second chances. (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    He's a fuck up but maybe this will be a wake up call for him and the rest of management. If things get fixed and those who were wronged get made whole, then life goes on. Here's hoping He will learn his lesson and move on.

    No sense in rooting for a person to fail or face lifetime banishment. Everyone (short of murder or physical assault or child abuse) can get a second chance.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward

      Posting AC for mods (Hussman32).

      There are a few things that stand out to me:

      • Uber is a superior product and they changed the world from relying on a government-subsidized monopoly (with horrific service) to actually allowing people to be able to count on non-personal transportation.
      • Attaining that product was done by setting up a highly competitive environment that bypassed all niceties...they hired the best, the best people worked there wanted to work there because of the challenge, and they changed the wo
      • Comment removed based on user account deletion

        • Re: 1. Correct, 'subsidized' is the wrong word. Manipulated is the correct word, though. Any metropolitan city of reasonable size has a limited number of cabs, and they all suck.
          Re: 2. The results speak for themselves. Uber was aggressive, but they connected passengers to drivers reliably, and fought the governments when needed.
          Re 4: That you don't know. The people I know that work there are smart, capable, and aggressive. But they are not crooks.

          I don't know if he can change or not, we'll see. I h

  • shouldn't the headline be like this:

    Trump-suckling Uber CEO To Take Trump-Style Leave, Diminished Role After Trump-Like Workplace Scandals: Trump, Trump, Trumpity, Trump, Trump

  • Uber is not the most valuable private company (Score:5, Insightful)

    by sjbe ( 173966 ) on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @02:03PM (#54611179)

    Uber CEO Travis Kalanick will take a leave of absence from the world's most valuable privately held company

    It is HIGHLY unlikely that any reasonable valuation of Uber exceeds that of Saudi Aramco [wikipedia.org] which is the actual most valuable private company in the world.

    Given that Uber lost something like $2.8 Billion last year [cnn.com], proclaiming it the most valuable private company in the world is just plain idiotic.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward

      The most valuable private company in the United States is Koch Industries. Uber is not even close. It won't be private much longer anyways; all this cleaning house is to prepare for an IPO so their investors can finally cash out.

    • Aramco is prepping for an IPO [forbes.com] so technically, they won't be privately held for much more than another year or two.

      • Aramco is prepping for an IPO so technically, they won't be privately held for much more than another year or two.

        This is true though they are only selling something like 10% of the company so in practical terms it's still going to be privately held. But even once Aramco goes public Uber still won't be "the most valuable private company in the world". It won't even be the most valuable private company in the US for that matter.

  • There's an old Turkish proverb that seems appropriate here: A fish rots from the head-down.

  • Uber's brand has been irreparably damaged. It's actually kind of nice to see one of those alt-right Libertarian douchebags crash and burn. Not that he'll assume any fault for Uber's eventual crash. Now that he's out he'll engage in the other alt-right habit of blaming everyone else.

    • Uber's brand has been irreparably damaged. It's actually kind of nice to see one of those alt-right Libertarian douchebags crash and burn.

      What "crash and burn" are you referring to? The dude still gets to laugh all the way to the bank...

  • Maybe he and Marissa can make a baby now

  • The "youthful vibe" is good for new companies and growth. And youthful doesn't necessarily equate to the age of people but rather to lifestyle. Alcohol and people not having segregated ranks is good for growth. People that drink are willing to do more for less. Same thing for fraternizing. If your going to have relationships within the company then it should require mandatory disclosure and counseling covering issues such as breaking up without unreasonably affecting your ability to work and produce. A "liv

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