Should you tip your Uber Driver?

There's no need to tip.Uber has been saying it for years. And the car-hailing app was embraced, in part, because of it. It's all-inclusive and cashless; one fare and one email receipt, automatically charged to your credit card after rolling up to your destination.

 There's no riffling through your wallet for small bills, no idling at the curb to deal with a credit card.But in recent weeks Uber has begun allowing drivers in two states - California and Massachusetts - to post signs in their cars that say tips are appreciated. Is this just the beginning of Uber tipping? And what does it mean for travelers?

Two class-action lawsuits have led to policy changes throughout California and Massachusetts, where lawyers argued that Uber drivers should be classified as employees, not independent contractors, so that they can enjoy certain protections. A settlement was reached last month that allows Uber to continue categorizing drivers as independent contractors. However, in turn, Uber is making concessions, including clarifying its messaging regarding tipping. Shannon Liss-Riordan, the class action employment lawyer who represented the drivers in California and Massachusetts, said in a statement that Uber would make clear to riders that tips are not included in its fares and that "drivers will be permitted to put small signs in their cars stating that 'tips are not included, they are not required, but they would be appreciated.'

Uber drivers have said that the company prevented them from accepting tips and led riders to believe - through statements on its website like, "Please thank your driver, but the tip is already included" and "there is no need to tip" - that tips are included in the price of a ride "when in fact tips are not included."In a recent blog post from its public policy team, Uber said that its creators considered building a tipping option into the app but ultimately decided against it "because we felt it would be better for riders and drivers to know for sure what they would pay or earn on each trip - without the uncertainty of tipping."