Uber Technologies Inc. today launched a new on-demand labor hiring app that matches people looking for shift work with companies that need temporary employees.

First reported a year ago, Uber Works debuts in Chicago Friday and has been designed to provide “more clarity” in a market by allowing workers to see all relevant and available shifts in one place. The app is said to provide detailed information about shifts workers may be interested in, including information about gross pay, work location and skills and required attire.

For companies looking to employ temporary workers, the app also provides time-tracking services, allowing workers to clock in and out and log breaks. It provides support for payments as well.

If the model sounds familiar, it should, since it’s essentially Uber’s existing ride-hailing service: people looking for work, similar to Uber drivers, and companies looking to hire them instead of booking a ride. It makes sense to extend to new industries Uber’s existing platform and technology to match a provider of a service with someone requiring it.

At launch, Uber has partnered with staffing agencies, including TrueBlue Inc., that employ, pay and handle worker benefits. Uber added that it was also committed to delivering services that support “skill up-leveling and promote work re-entry.”

“Workers face rigid scheduling and opaque information about where they can pick up shifts and how much they can expect to earn,” Uber said in a blog post. “Businesses struggle to staff up to meet peak demand, and have to grapple with missed shifts and high turnover. We believe a new, technology-first approach can provide faster and easier means for people to get work while offering greater insight into the many opportunities for work that are out there — improving the experience for workers and businesses alike.”

Uber didn’t mention any intention to roll the service out to new cities, but the Financial Times reported that “Uber was exploring rolling out the service more widely.” Presuming it’s successful in Chicago, there’s certainly no reason why Uber wouldn’t.

Photo: Pixabay