Possible effects of uberization on the quality of sleep of professional drivers

ABSTRACT

Uber and other on-demand business platforms drivers experience unparalleled flexibility in work hours, and many are using this model instead of working a fixed-hours job. The option of working more hours a day and, as a result, increasing the remuneration received is often chosen by drivers even at the expense of sleep. Due to their professional obligation, this population is at risk of excessive sleepiness due to sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality, increasing the risk of detrimental effects on health and the risk of car accidents. Considering that sleep is essential for general health, it is mandatory to create strategies to address these issues, such as limiting the maximum number of hours worked a day under the laws regulating labor rights and periodically assessing drivers’ alertness.

KEYWORDS:

• Uber
• sleep
• professional drivers
• uberization
• work
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

CABL and MSA are productivity fellows at the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, Brazil). R.L.V. is a productivity fellow at the Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Support Foundation (FAPES) agency (Edital Fapes N° 06/2021 Bolsa Pesquisador Capixaba; N° 327/2022 - P: 2022-F4D7H). VNO is scientific initiation fellow at the CNPq. TGC is fellow at the CAPES.

Author contributions

V.N.O., T.G.C. and C.A.B.L.: letter concept; V.N.O. and T.G.C.: letter preparation; M.S.A., R.L.V., B.K., J.P.P.R., F.V.N., K.W and C.A.B.L.: critical revision of the letter. All authors read and approved the final letter.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This letter was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.