The Financial Vulnerability of Workers in the Gig Economy
Unique in-person survey establishes new baseline, and online survey provides a snapshot of pandemic’s effects.
Earnings from app-based delivery work are very low. While workers average $450 from this work, after adjusting for mileage expenses, they average only $270 per week.
Platforms structure job opportunities in ways that would likely support claims that these workers are employees under the “ABC” test codified in California Assembly Bill 5. Many workers don’t receive other benefits they would be entitled to under San Francisco law if the companies were classifying them as employees.
App based delivery work is largely performed by full time workers. 71% obtain at least three quarters of their monthly income from platform work, and 57% rely entirely on platform work for their monthly income.
