Silicon Valley Startup Better Up Faces Revolt Over Pay Cuts

Better Up, the San Francisco-based mental health and coaching startup where Prince Harry serves as chief impact officer, is facing a revolt from its career coaches over plans to change how they're compensated.

Despite raising $300 million at a $4.7 billion valuation in October 2021, six of Better Up's career coaches have expressed concerns that new, modified contracts will equate to a pay cut.

The company uses metrics to evaluate clients' experiences and how life-changing they were, but some coaches feel that may lead to biased feedback.

The internal unrest is centered upon coaches' pay and a new rating system that would also impact their fees.

“If I am coaching a member, I don't want to be focused on how they're going to rate me,” said one Better Up contractor.

“From an ethical perspective, we are there to coach the client, not to have them press the like button.”

The company has scheduled town halls this week to modify its original plans, but details aren't definitive.

The six coaches who spoke with the Daily Beast said they were generally happy at the startup prior to being informed of the impending contract changes earlier this month.

“Many of us were very, very excited about it,” said one coach, as it appeared Better Up was going to raise rates.

“Instead what they came out with was a program that cut everybody's pay in the middle of one of the greatest inflation times in history,” fumed another.

“This is the way capitalism I suppose works.

But for a company whose mission is to help empower people throughout the world, they're not walking the walk.”

None of the Better Up coaches contacted by the Daily Beast had details on Prince Harry's role at the startup, with one questioning whether it was merely marketing smoke and mirrors.

The Duke of Sussex signed on with the startup last year, but his position has not been clearly defined.

In other news, royal experts are speculating about Prince Charles' current emotions after Prince Harry's visit with Queen Elizabeth.

Royal commentator Robert Jobson addressed Prince Charles' mood during an interview with GB News' Dan Wooten.

“I think the meeting with the Prince of Wales was a three-line whip,” he said.

“Charles was not particularly happy about doing it and he only agreed to do the meeting if nothing was said about him whatsoever on American TV.”

Jobson also added that Prince Charles has reached the end of his tether and that they haven't been in contact.

“If these conversations are out in public then I'm not putting up with it,” said Jobson, paraphrasing Prince Charles.

“He's drinking at the last chance saloon with it and he's not going to do it.”

All families have problems, but you don't go blurting off to your next-door neighbor as soon as you've had a meeting, he added.