The nature of work is changing with the growth of digital platforms accessible via smartphones giving rise to new independent ways of working. The gig or sharing economy describes this new trend in work. The gig economy involves people who do not get paid a salary but get paid per gig or a ‘piece rate’ whereby service providers are linked to service users via an app. Drivers and riders who earn money in this way are often referred as lifestyle workers or flex couriers or workers because they can choose when they work to fit in with other commitments. These workers are currently regarded as self-employed and are not covered by employment law. They have very few rights at work which are limited to protection for health and safety purposes and some protection against discrimination. They are responsible for managing their work in a way that does not create health and safety risks for themselves or others. Given that many of those in the gig economy are independent workers who provide transport based services - driving or riding- it seems critical to understand and address the many health and safety issues around such employment. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of risk and risk management amongst drivers and riders and their managers and to understand how safety is taken into account in driving or riding for work for those workers engaged in the gig economy. (Author/publisher)
Abstract