Los Angeles woman orders food on DoorDash. But what she sees after has her reporting her Dasher: ‘Hire a nanny’
Her thoughts on the issue did not receive the support she may have hoped for.
There’s no shortage of unexpected DoorDash encounters, and the internet is often privy to such stories. One woman in Los Angeles, California, took to a DoorDash group page on Facebook to share her own experience. While she didn’t find a mountain of pizza boxes on her doorstep, she did find her Dasher delivering her order with a child in tow—something she seemed to take offense to.
On Oct. 9, a woman posted in the Facebook group “DoorDash Drivers,” where she lambasted a female Dasher for allegedly bringing what appeared to be her young daughter along while completing the woman’s order. In her post, the woman shared a still photo captured from her doorbell camera footage, showing the alleged Dasher on her phone while a young child stands beside her during the night.
“A few weeks ago, I reported a Dasher to DoorDash for having her child with her while working,” the woman said. “And today I finally received a response from DoorDash.” She included a screenshot of the alleged email she received from the online delivery platform with her post.
DoorDash doesn’t ban Dashers from bringing their children
The woman also told the Dasher-centered group that she would “continue reporting situations like this,” before telling Dashers they should refrain from bringing along their child when working and delivering DoorDash orders. She ended her post with a piece of advice for the working parents on the platform: “Make arrangements for childcare or hire a nanny.”
On the other hand, DoorDash’s email to the woman was standard. The company thanked the woman for her report before telling her it would be reviewed in accordance with DoorDash’s internal policies and procedures. “While we cannot share details regarding another individual’s account or any actions that may be taken, we appreciate your willingness to help us maintain a safe and professional delivery experience,” the company added.
Although the woman made a report and it was acknowledged by DoorDash, Tasting Table suggests that the Dasher hasn’t broken any rules. According to the outlet, DoorDash doesn’t have any rules specifically prohibiting Dashers from making deliveries while they are accompanied by a passenger.
In fact, DoorDash even allows Dashers to receive assistance in completing orders, so long as the other person has a valid Dasher account. But for the most part, Dashers are “free to choose the method” by which they perform the delivery, per the company’s website.
If the Dasher is accompanied by someone without a Dasher account, that person is not allowed to handle or complete the order in the Dasher’s stead. When it comes to bringing children along while making deliveries, however, Dashers should exercise caution, as there have been instances where vehicles were stolen with a child inside during a delivery.
Woman faces backlash for out-of-touch take
Users in the Facebook group were largely against the woman’s post, with many Dashers coming forward to say they always bring their own children to make deliveries. “I’ve been dashing since 2020. We homeschool, so it makes for an amazing job with a flexible schedule. Also, I take my kids. And we’re allowed to take our kids or spouses,” one commenter wrote.
Others heavily criticized the woman for endangering someone’s livelihood with the report, as well as for sharing a photo of a minor without the parent’s consent. “What a pos I hope your food gets cold,” a commenter said. Another added, “You have some nerve posting a photo of a minor on social media. I recommend that the person in the photo sue […] for using a minor’s photo without parental consent and sharing it on social media.”
Some zeroed in on the woman’s childcare advice: “Cool, im sure she will hire a nanny as soon as you start tipping $200 an order.” In the U.S., childcare outside of immediate family can be costly.
According to Wonderschool, daycare prices average $343 per week, but can run higher depending on the child’s age, needs, and location. On the other hand, employing nannies is just as expensive, with an average hourly rate of $26.24, per Poppins Payroll.
As people condemn the woman’s actions, her post highlights how often struggling parents are judged more harshly while simply trying to make ends meet. In the age of social media, a person’s job can easily be put at risk—and many hope that isn’t the case for the Dasher mom.
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