While more than 99.99% of all deliveries are completed without any safety-related incidents, when there is a stressful situation, or a Dasher feels unsafe, it can stand out. Delivering to customers is perceived as having fewer inherent risks compared to other types of gig work, such as ride-share, and there's an extensive suite of support features available to all Dashers.
Dasher safety is a priority at DoorDash
The gig economy continues to grow, with over 250,000 active freelance workers in Australia. Of the current gig workforce, 34% identify are females, of which the age average is 36 years old.
Because 34% of Dashers identify as women, DoorDash has made safety a top priority. In a comprehensive survey conducted in the US in 2021, 97% of women Dashers reported that they preferred delivery over rideshare, and 77% noted that they didn't want strangers in their cars. DoorDash has also developed robust safety features to help Dashers feel seen, secure, and supported.
Safety considerations for female Dashers
When women consider delivering with DoorDash, they may take stock of the potential situations they might have to navigate. Delivering at night, dashing in unfamiliar areas, and contentious customer interactions may be a source of anxiety.
At DoorDash, we’ve developed various safety features to help support Dashers in case they run into potential issues. For instance, Outside Light Reminders prompt customers with a notification to turn on their porch or house lights when their delivery order is nearby. This makes it easier to find the drop-off location, spend less time outside their vehicle, and observe their surroundings during deliveries. When out and about at a late hour, this can make it easier for Dashers to find the right residence in an unfamiliar part of town.
The SafeDash Location Sharing feature allows Dashers to share their location with up to five trusted contacts in real-time while they're dashing. They may also be alerted if you've had to call 911 for any reason. For an extra level of comfort, you can designate an Emergency Contact in your Dasher app, and the Dasher support team can contact that person if there’s an emergency while dashing and we’re not able to reach you.
"Don't let anyone ruin your vibe. Sometimes, you drop off a package, and that person might have had a bad day, and they could take it out on you. Just remember you have no idea what happened to them that day or what they're going through — so do your best not to let it affect you."
DoorDash resources that help women stay safe when dashing
Porch Light Reminders, Location Sharing, and Emergency Contact features are only a few of the resources available to help women stay safe while dashing. There are also safety features on the platform that provide enhanced support, or allow you to seek help from the DoorDash team. SafeChat+ is a feature that flags offensive and abusive language between a customer and a Dasher in-app and reminds the sender of the potential consequences of inappropriate behaviour. Meanwhile, the Dasher who received the message in question has the option to report the issue and un-assign the delivery.
And if you have an interaction that makes you feel uncomfortable and unsafe, in-app SafeDash Reporting allows you to easily and quickly report any safety incidents while dashing, or after, from within the Dasher app.
Remember that there is never any impact on your ratings or ability to dash for reporting a safety incident. Some Dashers may worry that their Dasher rating will be impacted if they report a customer's bad behaviour or need to cancel a delivery for a safety reason. Please be assured that this is not the case — your safety remains a priority.
"I wish there was someone who told me not to get frustrated when little things happen. Remember how you would like to be treated and treat everyone that way. Most of all, never give up on the hard days or days where it seems nothing is going right."
How DoorDash Support is a key safety resource
If you do ever have any problems or concerns, the DoorDash Support team and DoorDash Trust and Safety team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They can help support you if there is a problematic situation
