In its latest attempt to recover declining profits, ride-hailing company Uber has launched a new product that includes technology inspired by popular dating apps.
‘Uber Works’ matches businesses with freelance shift workers who are available at relatively short notice to help deal with busy periods.
People can swipe through job descriptions to find one that suits their skill set, while businesses swipe to find the candidate who is most qualified. Like with most dating apps, when both parties ‘like’ each other a match is made and the two can connect.
Some of the jobs include event work, delivery services, cleaning or shifts in a restaurant or bar.
The app is so far only available in Chicago, but rollouts in other US markets are planned for the near future.
In a blog post announcing Uber Works, a spokesperson said: “Uber Works helps ensure timely payments to workers and provides more transparency and opportunities for feedback in the marketplace.
“We believe technology can help workers feel more confident and empowered when it comes to finding shifts, and we are excited by the potential to build technology that can reduce the pain points workers experience each day.”
Uber has been struggling ever since it went public in one of the most eagerly anticipated IPOs in history. Over the past five months, share prices have dropped by more than 25% leaving the market cap at just under $50 billion.
In July, Match Group owner IAC invested $250 million in Turo, a peer-to-peer car-sharing app promoted as the “Airbnb for cars”.
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