Job quality, fair work and gig work: the lived experience of gig workers

Abstract

Despite growing interest in the concept of gig work, the nature and quality of gig work is not well understood. The article builds on recent research by exploring gig work through an application of notions of job quality associated with Scotland’s Fair Work Convention. Further, in recognising the multidimensional nature of job quality and the divide between objective versus subjective approaches to job quality, the article adopts a checklist or job characteristics approach, focusing on objective aspects of quality work, whilst drawing on subjective experiences to capture lived experience of gig work. A key finding is, in spite of a deficit in objective characteristics of Fair Work, the subjective experience varies between platforms as well as in accordance with individual worker characteristics, such as between those undertaking gig work as a primary or supplementary source of income. A further key finding suggests the growth in gig work reflects the normalisation of what in the past would constitute poor working conditions. Taken together, the findings highlight limitations of theoretical models of job quality due to an emphasis on traditional employment.

Keywords:

• Gig work
• gig economy
• job quality
• Scotland
• fair work convention
• quality work

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement: RIJH-2019-0416

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Notes

1 Note this framework is distinct from the Five Pillars of Fair Work developed by the Fair Work Foundation.

2 The GIG Academy was established in 2019 providing apprenticeship opportunities and online training facilities.