Three-quarters of riders and drivers in the UK gig economy report anxiety over potential income drops, with more than half indicating they risk health and safety while working. Additionally, 42% of these workers experience physical pain due to their jobs.
These findings are from a study published in the journal Work, Employment and Society, which surveyed over 500 casual workers to provide statistical data on job quality in the UK gig economy. Riders and drivers spend an average of ten hours weekly waiting for jobs on apps without earning money during this time.
Dr. Alex Wood from Cambridge’s Department of Sociology stated, “All manner of gig work has exploded in recent years... Many of us now summon people and labour at the tap of a smartphone screen without much thought, rarely considering the process or the people behind it.”
The study compared experiences between "local" workers such as food delivery riders and "remote" digital laborers like data entry personnel. Data was collected in 2022 when nearly half a million people worked in the UK's gig economy. Researchers used platforms like Upwork for surveys and targeted ads on social media to reach local workers.
Prof Brendan Burchell, co-author and Cambridge sociologist, noted that “Attempts to investigate working conditions in the UK gig economy have been hampered by the difficulty of identifying and accessing people doing the work.”
Local workers reported higher anxiety levels about pay decreases (75%) compared to remote workers (59%). Their hourly pay averaged £8, below the UK minimum wage at that time. They also spent significant unpaid time waiting for work compared to remote workers.
Remote workers enjoyed more autonomy; however, local workers faced greater job insecurity and health issues. About 65% of riders expressed anxiety over unexpected changes to working hours compared to 40% among remote workers.
Wood added that “Delivery and ride-hailing platforms combine manual work with tight algorithmic management and digital surveillance...”
In separate research by Cambridge University PhD candidate Jon White, interviews with delivery drivers highlighted similar concerns about low pay affecting health. One driver emphasized the need for a minimum pay rate: “…when it's busy on a rainy day... they pay a really good fare. But sometimes... fare is not enough...”
Another driver described persistent physical pain: “…especially in my thighs... I've never had a good sleep...” Drivers indicated long hours were necessary just to cover basic expenses.
White's research reflects Wood's findings on how gig economy algorithms impact perceptions of time and worker well-being.