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COVID-19 Has Caused Many Rideshare Suspensions Due to Delayed Background Checks

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In the midst of confusion and frustration in regards to job security, the coronavirus crisis has forced the closure of more than 800 courthouses across the country. These closures have impacted the lives of rideshare drivers, such as drivers for Lyft and Uber, and have prevented many from earning a living wage through ridesharing.

This is due to the fact that Lyft and Uber make use of routine background checks, both during the sign up process and periodically throughout employment. The closure of courthouses has prevented these background checks from occurring in a timely manner, causing Lyft and Uber to suspend their drivers with little to no warning until their background check is complete. While a few months of suspension from ridesharing may sound like nothing more than a minor inconvenience, it has proven to be a major source of fear and anxiety for those who rely on ridesharing as a prime source of income.

Lauren Casey of Gig Workers Rising, an advocacy group fighting for employment benefits for gig workers, said of companies such as Lyft and Uber, “For months these companies have made it difficult for drivers to access unemployment insurance, and now at a time when many are left with no choice but to get back on the road, this roadblock is another kick in the teeth for frontline workers.” 

What makes this development more frustrating is the fact that many of these workers are simply waiting for yearly renewals of their records, and do not have any past convictions at all, meaning that regardless of criminal record, every rideshare worker is struggling to earn a living wage and collect unemployment benefits. 

If you, or anyone you know, struggles with earning a living due to past convictions, contact the experts at Easy Expunctions. We’ll get you started with a free background check to determine your eligibility, explain your options, and get you on the way to a clean slate. 

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Background Checks

Uber and Lyft’s AI Background Check Engine Faces Growing Number of Lawsuits

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When you apply for a job with a big company, it’s not unusual to face a background check. Right now, jobs are scarce, which is causing many to turn to pandemic-proof jobs like delivery services or rideshares. If you’re planning on trying your luck with Uber/Uber Eats or Lyft, beware: The AI background check software they use is extremely flawed. 

If you’ve never heard of it before, Checkr is a San Francisco-based background-check company that has come under fire for making errors that cost people jobs. In fact, they have faced around 80 lawsuits under the Fair Credit Reporting Act since 2015. Plaintiffs have a wide range of accusations: They claim Checkr illegally reported old criminal activity, mistook them with other people, and misreported offenses. One man who was famously exonerated for a murder he didn’t commit was denied work with Uber because his background report had a murder conviction. After he was famously exonerated. 

Just take a look at their reviews on the Better Business Bureau website if you want to get an idea of how cutting costs while conducting background checks can go wrong. There are real workers just trying to get by who are having their accounts canceled over wrong information or information that is illegally obtained, and they are met with a timely cycle of complaints to Uber/Lyft and Checkr that lead to dead ends. 

This is just another example of how the criminal justice system is stacked against you. Once you’re in, it’s difficult to get out. And when there are errors, you will have to encounter a mountain of problems to fix the records and restore your reputation. 

At Easy Expunctions, we’ll do our part to get you on the path to a clean record. We understand the desire to pass a background check with ease and see real opportunity. If you have a charge or arrest that’s eligible for an expunction, there’s no reason not to scrub it from your record. We’ll review your case, determine what can be done, and do it for less than a lawyer would.

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Background Checks

Interested in Driving for Uber or Lyft? Better Have a Clean Background Check!

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The creation of apps like Uber and Lyft has been a godsend for many. Rideshares allow you to get around town easily, quickly, and for less than a cab. They’re also a no-brainer for those who plan to go out and drink alcohol—no need to worry about risking driving under the influence or getting your car towed when you can get home safe and sound for a reasonable fee. 

Another major plus is that many Americans now have an additional source of income. Part-time and full-time workers can supplement their income with these wages from the comfort of their own car, simply by driving around their own cities. You’re your own boss, you pick your own hours, and you can cash out your earnings that day. The job seems to be a win-win all around. However, it’s important to know that as the final step of their signup process, Uber and Lyft require their drivers to consent to a full background check.

Most rideshare companies generally use a third party to conduct these searches, which include national and local databases. They’ll check your Motor Vehicle record as well as your criminal history. Local laws often dictate which specific criteria they apply to your background search, but here’s what they’ll likely deny drivers for:

  • Being on the National Sex Offender Registry
  • 1 serious driving-related conviction in the past seven years (basically any felony involving a vehicle)
  • 1 DUI/DWI or other drug-related driving violation in the past 7 years.
  • 1 single major moving violation in the past 3 years (reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, etc.)
  • 3+ minor moving violations in the past 3 years (accidents, traffic light violations, etc.)
  • A conviction for one of the following violent crimes: homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, carjacking, aggravated assault, acts of terror, robbery, or property damage offenses.

In addition to these, there are other records and offenses that can make it harder for you to be eligible to drive for a rideshare. You should also know that Uber and Lyft conduct annual background checks, so if you get in trouble with the law while driving for them, they’ll probably find out about it.

If you’ve been considering becoming a driver for a rideshare company but think you could be denied because of your criminal record, reach out to Easy Expunctions. While not all of the above listed convictions can be expunged, many can. We will work with you to determine if you’re eligible to receive an expunction, which will legally remove the offense from official records and databases. Our goal is to give you the opportunity to pursue any job you want without the burden of a criminal history.
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