Gig Economy Giants and Tech Startups Face Major Labor and Culture Scrutiny
DoorDash pours millions into California's Prop 22 while surveillance startup Verkada fires employees for abusing facial recognition tech. Meanwhile, Coinbase searches for a new diversity chief following a controversial corporate policy shift.
DoorDash contributes $3.75 million to support California's Prop 22 just days before the election, highlighting the gig economy's desperate push to maintain independent contractor status for food delivery workers. At the same time, Uber Eats faces new claims of reverse racism, adding to the ongoing labor and discrimination disputes surrounding major gig platforms.
Surveillance startup Verkada fires three employees after a report reveals they abuse facial recognition technology to harass female colleagues. Initially, the CEO offers the offenders a choice between resignation or a reduction in their company stock, but reverses this decision to terminate them immediately once the public learns of the misconduct through a media investigation.
Coinbase actively seeks a new director of belonging, inclusion, and diversity following the departure of its previous D&I head and a controversial policy by the CEO to avoid public commentary on broader social issues. This strict mission-focused stance prompts about 5% of the workforce, including top marketing executives, to leave the company with severance packages.