The new Uber for Business update makes it harder to take joy rides on the company dime

Uber

With the update to Uber for Business, companies can block employees from using their commuter benefits in ways the violate company policies.

Uber on Tuesday is relaunching its Uber for Business service, which will make it easier for employers to enforce company travel policies.

The updated service will be great news for accounting departments, and bad news for any employees trying to expense after-hours escapades.

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Uber for Business allows employees to expense work trips and use commuter benefits. With the update companies will have more control over how, when, and by which employees it's used.

Many employers provide Uber rides for free to workers. The new update will allow them to control when employees can take advantage of that perk. Companies will be able to specify, for example, that workers can get a free Uber ride only during certain hours or between certain addresses. Under such a policy, workers who get off the the subway at an unreasonably tardy hour might have to foot the bill themselves for their Uber ride home.

Employers will also be able to set monthly allowances for employees. Any trips that go over that amount will be charged directly to employees' personal accounts.

Additionally, the Uber for Business update will allow companies to choose which employees get which benefits. A salesperson might need a business travel allowance, while a recruiter might need the ability to hail and expense rides for job candidates. The updated service will allow employers to address the needs of both.

The updated service will costs employers the same as before - Uber charges a 10% surcharge on top of actual usage. Some 65,000 companies use Uber for Business, according to the company. Revenues for the service have surged this year, Uber said.

Uber

Among the new features is one that allows companies assign different benefits to different employees' accounts.