How Gig Work Pits Customers Against Workers

From Uber’s 137 million monthly customers to Upwork’s network of 18 million freelancers and 5 million clients, the global gig economy is bigger than ever. These gig work platforms create substantial value, from workers’ increased flexibility to set their own schedules to customers’ access to convenient food deliveries, rides, and other services at the push of a button to companies’ ability to avoid the costs of professional development, management, and other expenses associated with traditional employment.