Gig Economy

Legislation in a number of states would provide certainty on worker classification to a small group of online platforms facing contentious litigation, but could create economic insecurity for workers by making it easier for businesses to reclassify employees as independent contractors.

Following the introduction of portable benefits legislation in Washington State last month, leaders from Uber and SEIU released a letter calling on business, labor and government to work together to develop a portable benefits system.

On February 2, the Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative, Cornell University’s ILR School, and the Rockefeller Foundation convened a roundtable of experts to discuss challenges and identify new directions for gig economy data collection.

Policymakers should strengthen the Unemployment Insurance program, so that it is better able to help both traditional and non-traditional workers in the 21st century.

To help city residents take advantage of gig economy work opportunities, San Francisco partnered with Samaschool on a pilot program that provides support and training to aspiring gig economy workers.

If we want to anticipate disruptions and opportunities created by the rise of technology and the independent workforce, consistent access to better data is critical to developing effective, responsive policy solutions to help workers and businesses succeed.

As the year comes to a close, we are thankful for the support and interest we have received in examining how work is changing and what can be done to help workers and businesses meet the challenges that new technologies and a changing workforce present.

The Advisory Council, led by former Delaware Governor Jack Markell, will guide the Initiative’s strategy and identify solutions to help workers and businesses succeed in a changing economy.

With a rise of nontraditional work and a decline in organized labor, gig workers are seeking out ways to build collective voice. The Independent Drivers Guild in New York is one example of a form of new worker voice coming out of the platform economy.

Sens. Warner, Casey, and Stabenow introduced legislation on worker training tax credits similar to a Future of Work Initiative proposal.