Independent Era™ Roundup – Episode 15

Gig Wage

Published Nov 15, 2023

Thanks for reading. Welcome to the Independent Era™ Roundup.

Each episode, we share the things you absolutely need to know about the gig economy and modern talent—from industry news and media analysis to labor trends and customer insights—you’ll learn why the gig economy is transforming work culture. You can also find (subscribe to) this feed on the Gig Wage blog.

Let’s dig in.

1. Debunking gig economy myths

(From Chris Neiger for Motley Fool)

“An estimated 50% of American workers earn extra income from gig work.”

Chris Neiger sheds light on the booming gig economy in the United States. The article highlights the potential and growth of this sector, the piece focuses on five underrated gig economy jobs that offer significant earning potential, debunking the myth that all gig work is low-paying.

From freelance writing and online tutoring to more niche roles like social media management and handy services. More and more people are ready to diversify their income streams or pursue more flexible work arrangements.

A must-read for business owners and senior leaders. The gig economy is coming for your talent. Are you ready?

2. Uber was far from fair

(From Rebecca Bellan for TechCrunch)

“Uber is introducing new features geared toward addressing the issues of unfair deactivations that ride-hail and delivery drivers often face.”

In a significant move to address the challenges faced by its drivers, Uber is rolling out new features aimed at combating unfair deactivations. This initiative, as detailed in a recent blog post, includes a technology to identify riders or Uber Eats customers who consistently give bad ratings or feedback, presumably to obtain refunds. These allegations will no longer impact drivers’ ratings or result in deactivation.

The move comes as a response to longstanding driver complaints about unfair deactivations, often with little transparency or recourse to contest the claims. Uber’s efforts also include piloting voluntary drug tests for drivers and expanding identity verification for riders.

This development marks a significant step towards fairness and transparency in the gig economy. For those interested in gig economy trends or driver rights, following these changes at Uber offers a window into evolving industry practices.

3. Creator economy gets major boost

(From James Creech for Creator Economy Jobs)

“The creator economy is a $250B industry growing 18% each year. We need great people to help us build the future of this space.”

We just noticed the launch of ‘Creator Economy Jobs’, a dedicated platform designed to revolutionize job seeking and recruitment within the rapidly growing $250 billion creator economy. This platform emerges as a centralized hub to connect talented individuals with opportunities in sales, marketing, development, and product expertise, areas that previously lacked a specific focus in the creator economy sector.

4. Remote launches ‘remote talent’ job board

(From Gillian O'Brien for Remote)

“With the launch of Remote Talent, we are proud to bring recruitment to our suite of global HRIS offerings.”

Remote Talent stands out as a comprehensive tool for businesses seeking to build diverse and efficient teams across international borders. Hiring a globalized workforce is complex and can be a legal minefield. Remote Talent simplifies the recruitment process, allowing companies to onboard individuals from varied regions, including marketers in Milan or engineers in Ecuador, efficiently and compliantly. It’s a remote-first approach. Different from traditional job boards.

If you're a business looking to expand your global footprint or a professional seeking international work opportunities, Remote Talent could be the gateway to your next big venture.

5. Trade economist: global labor standards need tailored approaches

(From Christine McDaniel for Forbes)

“U.S. calls for other countries to sign onto 'strong and enforceable labor standards' have run into roadblocks.”

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) negotiations, recently held in San Francisco, encountered significant challenges due to the U.S. insistence on stringent labor standards. This article by Christine McDaniel highlights the complexities of imposing uniform labor laws across countries at different stages of economic development.

While the U.S. pushes for robust labor regulations, including bans on child labor and forced labor, the practical implications for less-developed IPEF member countries are a matter of concern. The article argues that strict labor laws might not align with the economic interests of these countries and could inadvertently lead to undesirable outcomes like increased child labor and decreased school enrollment.

McDaniel also touches upon the debate surrounding the classification of gig workers. She notes that rigid labor standards might restrict worker flexibility and innovation, potentially disadvantageous to the groups they aim to protect, such as women and minorities.

The piece suggests that instead of enforcing top-down labor standards, a more effective approach could be to encourage portable benefits and allow countries the autonomy to design their own labor laws. This would foster a flexible, innovative, and resilient workforce, better suited to the varying economic contexts of the IPEF nations.

As the global economic landscape evolves, this article underscores the need for nuanced approaches to international labor standards. Those interested in global economics, labor policies, or the intricacies of international trade agreements would find value in keeping abreast of these developments, particularly as IPEF nations reconvene to navigate these complex issues.

If you enjoy Independent Era™ Roundup, please share this newsletter on LI now.

In the meantime if you stumble across a story you think we need to cover, comment below!