The gig economy is transforming professional life, though not always for the better

Like many city dwellers, Nura Jabagi, MBA 14, PhD 21, relies on the ride-hailing Uber application to get around. As a researcher at Concordia’s John Molson School of Business, she’s not only thinking about this form of transportation from a passenger’s perspective — she’s also curious about the experience of the drivers.

“When I saw how everything is automated by a digital platform, I started asking questions,” Jabagi says. “I got to hear about what it’s like to be managed by this app that’s sort of barking orders at you.” As people who earn an income without formal employment, Uber drivers are part of a growing trend in the labour market.

According to Statistics Canada’s latest estimate, more than eight per cent of Canada’s workers now go from one gig — a short-term task, contract or assignment — to the next. Gig workers are a diverse group ranging from dog walkers and freelance photographers to high-earning independent business consultants. What they all share is a lack of access to benefits such as paid time off, minimum-wage protections, sick leave, parental leave, prescription-drug insurance or job security.

For some, this is a worthwhile trade-off for autonomy, flexible hours and work-life balance. Yet, many gig workers do not enjoy those perks, either. As businesses rely increasingly on external labour to control costs and maintain flexibility, the gig economy is expected to continue growing.

Knowing this, Concordia researchers are investigating ways to improve the experience of gig work.

Continue reading in Concordia Magazine.

Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash.