Ride-share, delivery drivers, learn self-care as job stress increases

US drivers of Uber and Lyft take part in a demonstration after turning off their app for two hours to call for livable incomes, fare regulation and an end to the unfair deactivations that drivers claimed has left them in fear of losing their livelihoods. Photo: dpa/Zuma Wire/G. Ronald Lopez

On a Friday afternoon in the summer of 2019, Chicago resident and ride-share driver Teddi Burgess picked up a couple of passengers from Portillo’s in River North, a northern neighbourhood of Chicago, the United States.

As the ride got underway, one passenger in the front of Burgess’ car started yelling. When Burgess asked the other in the rear seat if they could help calm the front passenger down, that person also began yelling at Burgess telling her to stop talking and “just drive”.