Gig reality

Self-employment is more common than ever, but some are finding the romance of being your own boss comes with a price.

Whether it’s driving Ubers, working freelance full time or selling real estate on the weekend after performing in drag all week, the gig economy represents one of the biggest shifts modern workers have seen. And while aspects of it are undeniably appealing – who wouldn’t want to be their own boss or set their own hours? – a gruelling reality has set in for some people, leaving them burnt out and wondering how sustainable it is.

Gig workers love the entrepreneurial opportunity and freedom to follow their passions, but everyone from YouTube influencers to errand-running TaskRabbits is grappling with the downsides: no HR department or employer-provided safety net, constantly hustling to pack in or cobble together as many gigs as their health and sanity allow, the loneliness and mental health struggles of working in isolation. Possible fixes include more government intervention, both to provide workers with more benefits and to keep them from being exploited by the companies that arrange their gigs. Whatever the action plan, the need for one has never been greater – in the UK alone, gig economy workers have doubled over the last three years to a community of 4.7 million.

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Image credit: Piero Zagami and Michela Nicchiotti.