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I am an Uber survivor

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Re: I am an Uber survivor

#121

Post by abecedarius »

MaxfordAndSons wrote: post #65
joezydeco wrote: post #28

"In essence, the HR department blackmailed me that if I make noise, I’d be fired. I was distraught by the HR department’s response especially considering that most of the HR folks I dealt with were women." Say it over and over, say it loud, and say it to every single person entering the US workforce from day one: H/R ACTS AND WILL ALWAYS ACT IN THE COMPANY'S BEST INTERESTS. NOT YOURS. Amy's situation was grave, and k…

The genius of labeling it "human resources" just struck me. As an employee (and human) it seems reasonable to interpret it as "resources for humans" and thus assume it would be there to help. But its true meaning, to execs/stakeholders/corporate persons, is "[the department which manages the] human resources".

There's an sf novel featuring a futuristic form of slavery, with a character who's introduced as a Director of Human Resources: only much later do you find out what that means. Subtly done.

(Your first meaning never occurred to me.)

Re: I am an Uber survivor

#122

Post by jordigh »

CPLX wrote: post #108
jordigh wrote: post #95

> tried to trigger me Man, I really wish the internet hadn't decided that "trigger" means to anger or upset someone instead of the original meaning: provoke an anxiety or panic attack, like lighting firecrackers around war veterans. Not that what Uber is doing here to "Amy" isn't despicable. I'm just a little bothered by this relatively frivolous usage of the word "trigger" compared to the original purpose for using…

The word has lots of original meanings, many of which are quite disparate: "Large price increases could trigger demands for even larger wage increases." "His unpleasant remark triggered an argument that almost cost them their friendship" "Studies show that lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue for Americans." And so on. The usage you're citing is relatively recent jargon.

Yes, that's exactly the problem: it's psychological jargon. People started using it in a jargon way to try to explain to others what PTSD is like. It was supposed to evoke compassion from people if they understood what triggering someone was. Instead it became a point of ridicule and mockery, "oh, I hurt your feelings? Did I trigger you, sweetheart?"

Re: I am an Uber survivor

#123

Post by mpweiher »

MaxfordAndSons wrote: post #72
nappy-doo wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> H/R ACTS AND WILL ALWAYS ACT IN THE COMPANY'S BEST INTERESTS. NOT YOURS. You're right, and here's the thing. It seems both women who've come forward would have open-and-shut cases against Uber for multi-millions in damages. It's surprising to me that neither have pursued Uber in this regard. Similarly, it's surprising to me that Uber HR hasn't done the mental calculus to figure out that these women have a solid cas…

> It seems both women who've come forward would have open-and-shut cases against Uber for multi-millions in damages. Is it possible that their contracts are written in such a way as to preclude this? Which if so is gross and shouldn't be allowed by contract law IMO, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me.

I severely doubt such a contract would hold up in court.

Re: I am an Uber survivor

#124

Post by Cofike »

user5994461 wrote: post #84

> It was normal for me to get to work at 7 in the morning and leave late at night with only a thirty minute break in between. Yep, sounds like a bad place to work. Just a reminder that you can change jobs after 6 months in the valley, there is really no need to put up with that or wait for evil managers to make the place hell.

Is that the acceptable minimum there? Like the two years in other areas?

Re: I am an Uber survivor

#125

Post by mi100hael »

> I remember how the interviewers constantly tried to trigger me and insulted my intelligence to see if I break under pressure.

What the fuck? I'd walk and never entertain an offer from a company that spent the interview insulting and provoking me. Who would be stoked to get an offer after an experience like that, much less accept it??

Re: I am an Uber survivor

#126

Post by chickenfries »

jellicle wrote: post #94
mjolk wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please tell me what is "vile" about saying "I believe Susan, but this blogpost strains credibility. If the author is being honest, I hope she speaks to an attorney".

So what company do you work for?

Agreed, they should stand behind their words.

Re: I am an Uber survivor

#127

Post by _xhok »

ubercore wrote: post #103
mjolk wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please tell me what is "vile" about saying "I believe Susan, but this blogpost strains credibility. If the author is being honest, I hope she speaks to an attorney".

> My default is "show me the evidence", but I believe Susan Fowler's account because she put her reputation on the line and I was willing to trust that she left, opposed to got fired, due to non-performance reasons based on being able to somewhat approximate/confirm her technical abilities. ... is a privileged viewpoint, and offensive to me. The author doesn't have to prove to your satisfaction that this happened to…

Wanting evidence is privileged? Is everything but complete credulity now considered "privileged?"

She doesn't have to, but putting it that way, people don't have to believe her.

Has the word "privileged" so lost all meaning that it's privileged to merely want evidence? I reject that I'm somehow contributing to an oppressive patriarchy by wanting claims to be substantiated in the post-Enlightenment way: with proof. People do make things up.

Re: I am an Uber survivor

#128

Post by sidlls »

mjolk wrote: post #39

> I am afraid to make my name public. Let’s call me Amy. For reasons only the #ubervictims know, let’s refer to the villain of this story as Mike#2. My default is "show me the evidence", but I believe Susan Fowler's account because she put her reputation on the line and I was willing to trust that she left, opposed to got fired, due to non-performance reasons based on being able to somewhat approximate/confirm her te…

There is nothing in the article that I haven't personally witnessed from colleagues (not at Uber--I have no connection of any sort to that company) in the past, so I wouldn't call it "rampantly ridiculous." This is perhaps an extreme, but it certainly falls within the range of behaviors I've seen other men engage in, and that my wife and other female friends and acquaintances have described to me as having happened to them.

Re: I am an Uber survivor

#130

Post by mhoc »

mjolk wrote: post #39

> I am afraid to make my name public. Let’s call me Amy. For reasons only the #ubervictims know, let’s refer to the villain of this story as Mike#2. My default is "show me the evidence", but I believe Susan Fowler's account because she put her reputation on the line and I was willing to trust that she left, opposed to got fired, due to non-performance reasons based on being able to somewhat approximate/confirm her te…

> My default is "show me the evidence", but I believe Susan Fowler's account because she put her reputation on the line

I second this. Anyone can write a story online. I want accountability.

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