In the nature of such transactional work, therefore, loyalty and tenure have limited roles to play, and the current negotiating strength tends to predominate the situation.
How has the gig economy reshaped traditional notions of employment and work?
SN The gig economy is here to stay. Let me clarify upfront that my responses are focused on blue-collar gig work. There is a separate component of white-collar gig work, which is a different arena altogether with distinct issues.
Earlier assumptions around work were based on:
- Employment for a lifetime, or at least for the longer term.
- A reasonably widespread assumption that if you did your best as an employee, the organisation would value the loyalty and reward it primarily by way of continued employment, but also some increase in income every year.
- A reasonably strong package of benefits and security measures that was consistent with employment.
These assumptions have now changed completely:
- Gig work is, in fact, not legally employment. The worker is an independent contractor who is contracting with the principal to provide services in exchange for a fee.
- Legally, this is...
