Spin ‘Came in Clutch’ For This Shift Lead in Cleveland
At Spin, we pride ourselves on being a great place to work. One way we achieve this is by having an operations team composed primarily of W2 employees in our markets. W2 employees receive hourly or salary pay, unlike 1099 contract workers who receive pay based on the number of scooters they charge. Additionally, they receive full benefits, including health care, sick leave, and paid vacation. Providing for our team members in this way results in dedicated employees who take pride in delivering operational excellence.
In our new series — Faces of Spin — we share stories from team members and give you an insider’s look at what it’s like to work with us.
Rubie Cardwell
Role: Shift Lead
Market: Cleveland
Started: September 2019
Fun Fact: Rubie is a member of our Diversity & Inclusion committee
Rubie Cardwell, a Shift Lead in Cleveland, started working at Spin in September 2019. In her role, her primary responsibilities are coordinating Operation Specialists’ schedules and reporting on all deployed and picked up scooters during her shift.
Prior to Spin, Rubie had considered joining other companies, but ultimately, was attracted to the stability provided by being a W2 worker with us. “When you’re getting paid by the hour, you want to do a good job. But you’re also not scared,” she explained. “I’ve run into a lot of people while in the field who worked for some of the other companies. They tell me that it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there when you’re trying to figure out if there’s enough work for you to do. So, personally, I’m happy that I went with Spin.”
We understand that stability makes a big difference in life, especially professionally. Not knowing from one day to the next if there’s going to be enough work or if we’re going to be able to put food on the table is stressful and unnerving.
Amidst a global pandemic, the importance of stability and security takes on even more meaning. When COVID-19 first arrived in the US, we had to pause operations in many markets due to stay at home orders across, leaving uncertainty for our employees. “It was very terrifying in the beginning,” she said. “I was really stressed out, like, ‘Am I gonna have to find another job?’” No, she would not. As part of our commitment to safety and putting people first, we provided paid leave to all of our employees during this paused period.
“Spin came in clutch during COVID-19,” Rubie remarked. “The handling of the pandemic was one of the biggest positive impressions that they made on me. Right in the nick of time, they’re like, ‘You know what, we’re going to extend the paid leave, just stay home and be safe.’ So when Spin opened back up, I was ready to hit the ground running. It makes you humble yourself on those days when it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s just so hot. I’m ready to get off. I’m tired.’ It makes you like, ‘I’m glad that I stayed and worked. I’m glad I didn’t give up.’”
In addition to feeling stable and secure at Spin, Rubie appreciates that her work is acknowledged and that there are opportunities for growth, sometimes rapid growth. Starting as an Ops Specialist, her manager immediately noticed her skills, work ethic, and focus — things she’d honed while working on the campaign trail in 2008, where she was responsible for supporting people in registering to vote.
Within a little over a month of being at Spin, Rubie’s manager promoted her to Shift Lead, where she’d have an opportunity to take on new responsibilities, set strategy, and manage a team. “I like that Spin shows recognition,” she said, reflecting on the quick promotion. “A lot of companies, you put your hard work into it, and no one ever says thanks. But Spin, they do. They highlight people’s greatness.”
By focusing on providing our team members with stability, opportunity, and meaningful mission-driven work, we’re able to create an attractive environment that invites growth and supports enduring relationships. “I would like to be here for the long run,” Rubie shared at the end of our conversation, and added, poignantly, “Spin is a company I’d like to retire from.”
