Stress and the gig economy: it's not all shifts and giggles

Abstract

Gig work is a type of contingent work which has increased markedly in recent times, and is characterised by uncertainty, unpredictability, and instability of both schedules and income earned.Gig workers are also likely to work for multiple platforms and/or employers. These work characteristics mean that performing gig work is associated with higher rates of stress than the general population 1) . However, it is not currently known which strategies gig workers use to cope with this stressincluding which strategies are likely to be effective. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between coping strategies, number of employers and stress in gig workers. An online survey was completed by 49 gig workers. Validated questionnaires were administered to measure coping strategies (Brief COPE) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale-14).Approach coping strategies (active, planning, and social support) were associated with reduced stress (p<0.05), whereas the avoidant coping strategy of self-blame was associated with increased stress (p<0.05). No differences in stress were seen between gig workers with one employer and those with multiple employers. Findings suggest that some coping strategies may lower stress in gig workers, though long-term outcomes should be considered in future research.

Precarious but Possible: A Qualitative Study of the Landscape of Gig Work for People Living with Disabilities and Future Recommendations for Best Practices

“…Through the interviews we conducted, we were introduced to themes that were both expected and unexpected. Recent studies on the gig economy, for instance, echo the financial instability that was found in our study and the mental and physical health consequences of it [11,12]. The need for benefits and access to paid leave has also arisen in recent survey work [13], where these drawbacks were reported as even more critical than insufficient income.…”

Digital Stress. Effects of Different Intensities of Working From Home on Workers' Health

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“…They are based on positive and negative self-reported features of the job, which measure the concrete work experience and have been proven to have a causal effect-either positive or negative-on the health and well-being of workers. 25 These job quality indices are measured on a scale of 0 to 100, except for earnings, which refer only to monthly earnings.…”

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“…In this context, being on call has become a common mode of employment ( Glavin and Schieman, 2022 ). However, being on call often means that workers’ mobile phones cannot be turned off for 24 h, and they must be ready to work at any time, which results in irregular work hours and easily leads to potential mental health problems ( Hafeez et al, 2022 ).…”