Gig Workers, Freelancers and Independent Contractors

Gig workers are an important face of the changing nature of work. From delivery  and Uber drivers to teachers and software designers, gig workers are a diverse group of New Yorkers who share many challenges. This first-of-its kind large-scale survey of gig workers in Queens investigates their lived experiences, including the shape of their workweek and their economic precarity. It distinguishes low-paid service workers, many potentially misclassified as independent contractors, from respondents in professional, and educational, and arts occupations who may qualify as true independent contractors. It also highlights the challenges faced by all gig workers, including frustrated career ambitions, workforce and training needs, and their relationships with critical support systems, including social assistance, mutual aid, and educational support programs, many of which are not tailored to the challenges gig workers face.

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