The gig economy has flourished ever since 2020, and, now, there are tens of millions of Americans employed in freelance work. According to Reuters, 33 million Americans rely on gig work for their employment, and that number is only growing. One area that has been of some concern to gig workers is their rights as employees – what can they expect in terms of protections, and what their career path can lead them in terms of career progression and a sense of job security. Changes in the industry, and legal improvements, are making a better situation.
Improving worker rights
Gig workers are subject to the same protections that any other worker in the contracted and non-casual economy are. Specifically, workers with disabilities are entitled to the same degree of protection as anyone else, and there are similar provisions in place for those individuals with other protected characteristics. Where gig worker rights can fall down is in comparison to the benefits that individuals considered ‘employees’ can enjoy. However, this is set to change. According to DW.com, new rules will mean that gig workers are considered as employees if they work a certain number of hours per week for one company. With most gig economy workers employed for the most part of their time with one company, this change will benefit many.
Putting it into practice
One of the most high-profile, profitable and popular areas of the gig economy is rideshares. Uber, Lyft, and then courier services like UberEats and DoorDash have taken up a huge part of the total gig economy and have received a lot of attention as a result. Litigation has been taking place across the US as states and the federal government try and work out how exactly the rules should work. As a result of this CNBC have highlighted widespread improvements in quality of life for rideshare drivers, making the career even more lucrative – especially with the benefit of its flexibility.
Building a career
One area where the gig economy does fall down is in providing career progression for its workers. It’s usually within an established business, or through headhunting, that people make career progression – what opportunity is there for that in a job which relies on short-order goods with little variety? The way forward may be found in that last point – variety. According to McKinsey, business leaders are increasingly seeing the benefits that the gig economy is providing, and the way it is reshaping the business world. As a result, business owners and job holders are providing more ways for workers to get ahead. Looking at a variety of roles, and building up an experience log and portfolio of quality, will help to find new, interesting, and better paying opportunities.
The gig economy is in a much better state than it has ever been before. With so many now operating in the industry, it’s turning into a true success story, with the power of millions of workers at the forefront.
