Can an application (app) deliver a measure of fairness to today’s gig workers? Gig work, if you did not know, is work performed in the on-demand, cellphone-driven economy. Uber, Lyft, GrubHub, Etsy, and eBay are all examples of companies that contract online via cellphones to perform specific tasks.
It is estimated that millions of Americans found work in the gig economy. Domestic workers may now catch a break due to a new app from the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA). Alia is a new way of tracking workers’ hours. It allows house cleaners to accrue paid sick days and other paid time off benefits by charging clients a small fee per job performed. Domestic work has always been ignored by worker protection laws. Alia provides a mechanism to finally pay time to this overlooked group of gig workers. Other gig work groups still have a long way to go to obtain basic rights.
The Gig Labor Unfairness
Gig workers who work for ride-share or delivery food companies often take on extra risks for the money they earn. Workers take on all the risks of the jobs they agree to perform. The fine print in worker contracts rarely explain the risks workers will face, such as driving in bad weather. This relieves businesses of any responsibility for harm befalling the contract worker, such as traffic accidents and threats to personal safety.
The gig economy likes to portray itself as ultra-modern. The truth is many businesses dodge responsibility when harm comes to workers. The larger problem is balancing the risk workers are asked to bear. Aside from potential risks, drivers often experience serious verbal or physical abuse. Videos prove that gig workers endure physical harm on the job. An intoxicated Taco Bell executive brutally beat an Uber driver, and in Miami, a physician was filmed kicking his driver and then damaging his vehicle. If you have endured discrimination or unfairness at your job, a qualified employment lawyer can help address what can be done to obtain justice.
Bucks County Employment Discrimination Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Protect Workers’ Rights
If you suffered unfair treatment as an employee of a gig business, you may have legal options. Contact the Bucks County employment discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free consultation. Discrimination is an emerging issue, and we can help obtain the justice you deserve. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients from the surrounding areas, including Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and throughout South Jersey.
