Uber-like technology for nurses takes off
“Intelligently route labor needs to the lowest-cost workforce”
At least one U.S.-based nursing agency is applying technology similar to Uber’s to help hospitals pay the smallest amount possible for shift nurses.
“ShiftMed’s technology empowers healthcare providers to intelligently route labor needs to the lowest-cost workforce, prioritizing your staff and local pools before contract labor,” ShiftMed’s website landing page reads.
By clicking the “Labour Savings” button, hospitals can receive a report on how much they can save on nurses’ pay using the ShiftMed service.
Nurse can also click to a page which promises “Work where you want, when you want!” – a phrase familiar to Uber drivers who signed up in the early days of rideshare.
“Imagine you’re at an Employment Carnival with VIP ticket holders (W-2 company employees) and free spirit ticket holders (self-employed 1099 contractors),” a ShiftMed blog reads.
“VIP ticket holders get unlimited rides on the Ferris wheel (more job security), can enjoy popcorn and cotton candy (healthcare benefits), and stay at the carnival as long as they want (more job stability).
“Free spirit ticket holders can only ride the Ferris wheel once (less job security), don’t have access to popcorn and cotton candy (no benefits), and can only stay at the carnival for a limited time (less job stability).”
After the carnival comparison, ShiftMed notes in a disclaimer that “ShiftMed does not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Please refer to a professional advisor prior to acting on the information set forth herein.”
Labour organizers are keen to point out this emerging technology to those who thought algorithmic selection of the lowest-priced workers would be limited to ground transportation drivers: “Hey guys guess what!? There are app-based healthcare worker companies now! We told you it wasn’t just drivers and delivery workers – that they were coming for your job now,” tweeted Nicole Moore, President of Rideshare at Drivers United.
Hey guys guess what!? There are app-based healthcare worker companies now! We told you it wasn’t just drivers and delivery workers – that they were coming for your job now. If you know an app deployed nurse, have them talk to Katie! And me! I wanna know! https://t.co/Lc506Ll9ZW
— Nicole Moore (@nicoemoe) August 10, 2024
Early in 2024, Uber’s CEO Dara Uber’s CEO admitted that the company changes its drivers pay based on their “behavioural patterns,” after years of denials of the controversial policy which has been called “algorithmic wage discrimination.”
The Silicon Valley gig economy giant has been accused for years of gathering data from drivers and using it to decide what it pays them. Academics and trade unions claim that the policy is used to reduce pay by stealth while undermining laws on equality at work.
