I'm an Uber driver with a 4.99 star rating and have completed over 4,000 rides. I love driving Uber because it has given me an opportunity to earn money while pursuing my dreams in the entertainment industry, and meet so many amazing people in my community in Orange County, CA.

Last week I tried to log in for my nightly Uber shift, and I couldn't because Uber said I am undergoing a random background check.

I completely understand why Uber conducts updated, random background checks on its drivers. It is a safety issue for the passengers, and a driver's criminal history and driving record may change over time.

However, I believe it is grossly unfair to deactivate a driver while the  background check is being conducted. It makes absolutely no sense to me. Why can't a good standing driver continue to work while the background check is being conducted? Sure, if the background check uncovers a new misdemeanor, felony, or serious driving infraction then Uber should absolutely deactivate that driver. Yet, I would estimate 99.9% of driver's criminal and driving histories have not changed since our last background check. So why punish all of us by deactivating our accounts during these long periods of time waiting for the background check?

Because of this deactivation during the background check, I have now missed out on thousands of dollars of earnings and ride bonuses that I was due to receive. Uber suggested the background check process would take 3-5 days. I am now going on my second week and am finding it increasingly difficult to pay for my bills, food, and my rent at the end of the month.

This has me thinking about the other 25-30% of Uber drivers who rely on Uber as their only income. What about the drivers with multiple children? What about the drivers who are going through even rougher financial times than myself? This unfair policy is surely going to put them in financial ruins.

I have a social media following, mostly on TikTok under the name Scotty Rides. I posted a video about this. The video has now over 10,000 views with dozens and dozens of comments of other Uber drivers going through a similar situation. Many drivers have claimed they have waited for their background check to clear for weeks, months, and some have given up altogether. These are hard working people who, under no fault of their own, have essentially lost their job.

I am starting this change.org petition in order to take action against an extremely unjust policy enforced by a large corporation, Uber. Please help me spread awareness by signing and sharing this petition. I hope at the minimum Uber will change this policy so that innocent Uber drivers never have to lose an honest days work again, and at maximum Uber will reimburse its drivers for the time lost due to this devastating policy. 

Thank you!

- Scotty Ross aka Scotty Rides