Saving up, covering gaps in income, flexible schedules top reasons current or recent gig platform workers cite for taking on these jobs over the past year | Pew Research Center

November 30, 2021

The State of Gig Work in 2021

Saving up, covering gaps in income, flexible schedules top reasons current or recent gig platform workers cite for taking on these jobs over the past year

Saving up, covering gaps in income, flexible schedules top reasons current or recent gig platform workers cite for taking on these jobs over the past year

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Saving up, covering gaps in income, flexible schedules top reasons current or recent gig platform workers cite for taking on these jobs over the past year

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The State of Gig Work in 2021
16% of Americans have ever earned money via an online gig platform; adults under 30, Hispanic adults and those with lower incomes especially likely to do these jobs
Among current or recent gig platform workers, about three-in-ten say it’s been their main job over past year; majorities rely on this income to meet basic needs
Who is considered a ‘gig platform worker’ in this report?
Saving up, covering gaps in income, flexible schedules top reasons current or recent gig platform workers cite for taking on these jobs over the past year
A majority of current or recent gig platform workers say companies have been fair with their pay, assignments, fewer say the same about their benefits
Racial, ethnic differences among gig platform workers in reporting feeling unsafe, experiencing unwanted sexual advances at least sometimes while completing jobs
Democrats more likely than Republicans to describe ride-hailing drivers as employees, favor more legal protections for drivers, more regulation of companies