Key Issues for People Working in the Gig Economy in Australia

This short essay discusses the key issues faced by people working in the gig economy in Australia. It is a part of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation course and requires conducting online research, critical analysis, paraphrasing, and referencing two academic texts.

STUDENT - PRODUCT ASSESSMENT TASK
PRODUCT ASSESSMENT TASK
Task Number 1 of 3 Task Name Short Essay
National unit/s code VU23095
VU23098
National unit/s title Prepare for tertiary reading
and writing
Conduct online research
for further study
National qualification code 22582VIC National qualification title Certificate IV in Tertiary
Preparation
RMIT Program code C4411 (SCI)
C4411 (BUS)
C4411 (ENG)
RMIT Course code
Section A - Assessment Information
Duration and/or due date: Draft due
Final full task
Task Instructions
Summary and Purpose of Assessment
This task is the first of three tasks students will need to complete for this course. Students will research a topic directly
related to their discipline area (Engineering/Science/Business). This task has 5 parts.
Students will do the following: research, critically analyse, paraphrase, and reference two academic texts. Students will
download the Assessment task from CANVAS.
The purpose of this task is to develop the following skills and knowledge:
 Prepare and conduct online research
 Apply analytical and critical thinking skills
 Produce academic style writing suited to text type
 Reference sources using appropriate conventions
Assessment Instructions
In this task you will research and write a short essay, (450- 600) words, about a topic directly related to your discipline
area (Engineering/Science/Business). Your essay must be typed using Arial/Calibri 11 point with 1.5 line spacing.
Your teacher will provide you with one text and you will conduct individual research to locate one additional suitable
text, then write a short essay that describes the issue and provides facts from the research.
Essay topics: Science- Possible topic: Describe key issues relating to damage of the Great Barrier Reef.
Business - Possible topic: What are key issues for people working in the gig economy in Australia?
Engineering - Possible topic: Describe key issues relating to building construction in earthquake zones.
This individual student assessment task has 5 parts.
Part 1. Essay topic focus (record answers in Appendix 1)
1.1 Identify the due date and word count of the essay
1.2 Identify the purpose and audience of an essay as well as the key terms and concepts of the essay question

Part 2. Evaluate texts and take notes (Appendix 2)
2.1 One article will be supplied by teacher and you must locate one more article on the topic. The article you locate
must be a suitable academic text from an academic website or a journal article from a database. If you are having
trouble finding an article consult your teacher or the Library help desk. Reference each text using the discipline
appropriate referencing style (Harvard).
 one sourced by your teacher
 one sources by you from an academic text from an academic website or a journal article from a database.
2.2 Read and Evaluate each text (total of two texts) and record in the CRAAP table (appendix 2). Include:
 Currency
 Relevance
 Authority
 Accuracy
 Purpose
 Key points
2.3 Take notes from each text and record those notes in appendix 2.
Part 3. Plan your short essay (Appendix 3).
3.1 Use your research notes from your two texts to write an essay plan. Summarise and record key relevant
information in plan. Record your essay plan on the essay planning template each section must be completed in the
plan. Introduction: Thesis statement. Body paragraph: Topic sentences, supporting information in dot points.
statement.
Each body paragraph must have a topic sentence and at least 3 dot points supporting the controlling idea it should
follow the TEEL
 Topic Sentence
 Explanation
 Evidence
 Link (if necessary)
Conclusion: reworking of thesis
Part 4 Write draft essay following the structure outlined below.
4.1 Introduction must contain a thesis statement.
4.2 Each body paragraph must have a topic sentence and sentences supporting the controlling idea including
summarising, paraphrasing and intext referencing (Citations).
4.3 Conclusion summarising your main points.
Submit typed draft essay through Canvas by Week 5 for teacher feedback (450- 600 words, using Arial/Calibri 11 point).
Part 5. Proof read and edit your short essay (Appendix 4)
5.1 Before submitting your essay, read your teachers feedback, proofread and revise it for logic, relevance, structure
and sources. Use the editing checklist.
5.2 Go through Criteria for Assessment (Section B) to make sure you have met all requirements.
5.3 Submit full Assessment Task with Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 to Canvas.
Where
You will be provided some class time to work on this assessment, however, it is expected that the assessment will be

completed outside of class.
How
You will be assessed against the criteria listed in the marking guide in Section B of this task. To achieve a satisfactory
result, you will need to address all criteria satisfactorily.
Conditions for assessment
Extensions:
If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the set date of an assessment (e.g. test,
examination, oral etc.) or you do attend, but your performance has been affected, you may submit an: APPLICATION
FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION within 2 working days of the original date. If Special Consideration is granted, you will
be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application go to
the RMIT website or speak to your Program Coordinator.
If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to submit by the due date (e.g. PROJECT, report,
project etc.) you may submit an: APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK for
an extension of time of up to seven (7) calendar days or less. This must be lodged 1 working day before the original due
date. If granted an extension, you have the opportunity to submit up to 7 days later than the original due date. For
advice on this application go to the RMIT website or speak to your Program Coordinator.
Please note: No work will be accepted after the due date unless you have been granted an Extension of Time or Special
Consideration.
 This task requires students to submit one draft for feedback. Assessors use the marking rubric to provide specific
feedback on the draft. Students are expected to demonstrate editing in the final version.
 The teacher in the face to face class may give verbal feedback on drafts.
 Refer to any ELS plans for assessment adjustments.
Resubmission conditions: a student may be eligible to resubmit Task 1 Short Essay if applicable.
Instructions on submitting your project/portfolio/report
Type your essay into this document after you have completed all sections.
Submit full Assessment Task Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 in this word document to Canvas.
Equipment/resources students must
supply:
Equipment/resources to be provided by RMIT or the workplace:
 Computer and Internet access
 Access to the internet and CANVAS
 Assessment criteria in Assessment Task 1Short Essay (available on
CANVAS) to show as a model rubric.
 Efficient reading strategies:
https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/node/94MIT Learning Lab

Section B – Marking Guide
Below is a checklist for how this assessment task will be judged as satisfactory or not satisfactory.
TASK: Research and write a short essay about a topic directly related to your discipline area
(Engineering/Science/Business) 450 – 600 words
Criteria for assessment Satisfactory Comments
Yes No
Part 1 Topic focus (Appendix 1)
1.1 Write down the due date and word count
of the essay. Outline the parts and
requirements ☐ ☐
1.2 Identify
 purpose
 key terms
 concepts
 audience
of essay question in Appendix 1
☐ ☐
Part 2 Evaluate texts and take notes (Appendix 2)
2.1 Reference the two texts using the discipline
appropriate referencing style (Harvard)
 one sourced by your teacher
 one sources by you from an academic
text from an academic website or a
journal article from a database.
☐ ☐
2.2 Evaluate new sources and document your
research notes using the Research
management table (CRAAP activity)
 Currency
 Relevance
 Authority
 Accuracy
 Purpose
 Key points
☐ ☐
2.3 Take notes in dot points to identify relevant
information ☐ ☐
Part 3 Plan your essay (Appendix 3)
3.1 Summarise and record key relevant
information in plan. Essay plan to include:
 Introduction (general & thesis
statement)
 Body paragraph 1
 Body paragraph 2
 Body paragraph 3
Each body paragraph must have a topic
sentence and at least 3 dot points supporting
the controlling idea it should follow the TEEL
 Topic Sentence
 Explanation
☐ ☐

Criteria for assessment Satisfactory Comments
 Evidence
 Link (if necessary)
Conclusion (reworking of thesis statement)
Essay plan shown in class for feedback
Part 4 Write a draft essay
4.1 Introduction must follow the structure of
an introduction and contain a thesis statement ☐ ☐
4.2 Each body paragraph must have a topic
sentence and dot points supporting the
controlling idea include:
 Paraphrasing
 Summarising
 transition signals
 Content is referenced correctly with
intext citations
☐ ☐
4.3 Conclusion summarising your main points ☐ ☐
Submit typed draft essay through Canvas by Week 5 for teacher feedback (450- 600 words, using Arial/Calibri 11 point).
Part 5 Proofread and edit essay (Appendix 4)
5.1 Proofread and revise draft based on
teacher feedback. Review:
 logic
 relevance
 structure
 sources
Check:
 format
 vocabulary
 coherence
 grammar
 references
☐ ☐
5.2 Use task checklist to make sure you have
met all requirements ☐ ☐
5.3 Make final edits as required, incorporating
teacher feedback, proofread and submit final
essay and meeting all requirements by due
date.
Note:
 Final word length: 450- 600 words.
 Essay must be typed
 Arial/Calibri 11 point with 1.5 line
spacing.

Appendix 1
Part 1. Essay topic focus (criteria 1.1 & 1.2)
Analysis questions Answers
Criteria 1.1
What is the due date and the word limit on the essay
component of the task?
Due date-
Word limit- 650
How many parts does this assessment have? The assignment have 4 appendix part
What are the requirements for each part?
Criteria 1.2
What is the purpose of this academic essay? The purpose of this essay is to study the adversity faced by gig worker in Australia.
Who is the audience for this academic essay? The readers for the essay is economists, gig workers, employers and government authorities
What are the key terms and concepts in the essay
topic?
Gig workers and gig economy
What is the essay question asking you to do? The questions of the emphasis on the issues faced by people in gig economy in Australia
Which word(s) limit the focus of this topic? 750
What do the directive words require you to do? To find of the key issues faced

Appendix 2 – CRAAP table
Part 2. Research and evaluate texts then take notes
Text 1: Reference (Harvard)
Ossola, A 2017 How Engineering Earthquake-Proof Buildings Could Save Lives, Hard Science
Currency Relevance Authority Accuracy Purpose
The timeliness of
the information
The importance of the
information for your
needs
The source of the
information
The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of content. Type of
language used: Persuasive, emotional, biased, objective
The reason the information exists
February 22, 2021
It is really important
to address this
problem because it is
severely effecting gig
workers
Max Manson,2021
senior reporter
The article published is based on true facts and events. All the
information was cross checked and verified
This information exist because the issue
had become very serious and gig worker
were negatively effected
Key points from text: Gig workers are not given financial stability, dignity and flexibility. They are being exploited and not provided with employees’ rights.
Notes: (In your preferred style)
The case is about the Uber a US based ride sharing app where it employee’s worker and keep people as freelancer.
This was based on the fact that Uber is controlling all the worker by means of five aspects. These controls include determining price of rides without consulting the driver, the term of
contract between the company, Uber rating system gets determine the performance of the worker. Driver tightly controls the relationship with the customer. Job offered to the worker
is also determined by Uber
Text 2: Reference (Harvard)
Currency Relevance Authority Accuracy Purpose

The timeliness of
the information
The importance of the
information for your
needs
The source of the
information
The reliability,
truthfulness and
correctness of content.
The reason the information exists
2022 This is important to
provides right to the
gig workers as there
being exploited and
basic rights are not
provided to them.
Article shared by
Carolyn
Sutherland,
professor, deputy
department head,
department of
business, law and
tax
The article is based on
extensive research and
facts. The sources used
are fully reliable and
facts are whole truthful
The problem is faced in the real world and gig workers are actually facing issues
due to this.
Key points from text:
Rights that night to be provided to the gig workers.
Notes: (In your preferred style)
A collaboration with gig worker, funded by Trust for London. It formulates idea about how to create a good working condition for those workers who freelance work through digital
platform.
Emphasises on providing financial security, dignity, minimum wage rates for such gig workers, flexibility and recognisance as employees of the organisation and job security to gig
workers

Appendix 3
Part 3. Plan your essay
Introduction
Gig economy is said to labour market featured through prevalence of freelance works or short term contracts against permanent jobs. In Australia, people working in the gig
economy faces certain issues while carrying out operations.
General statement. – People working in gig economy faces key issues that adversely impacts their lives.
Thesis Statement
Null hypothesis: Gig economy has no adverse effect on gig workers
Alternative hypothesis: Gig economy has adverse effect on gig workers.
Body paragraph 1
Gig economy impacts people as they are not as invested properly. In a country, for example, Australia, gig work reduces incentives of personnel for performing great work as when
some uncertain situation arises, gig worker easily switches to other profession. Gig work is uncertain work as it makes people more stressful. A person working in Uber, a US based
rode sharing app, lacks predictability about what next is going to come. It states that they are likely to experience uncertainty related to their time and money resulting to stress
(Sprajcer and Gupta, 2022).
Supporting evidence (dot points including reference information)
Sprajcer. M. and Gupta. C. 2022. Uncertainty, money worries and stress – gig workers need support and effective ways to cope. [Online]. Available through: <
https://theconversation.com/uncertainty-money-worries-and-stress-gig-workers-need-support-and-effective-ways-to-cope-177910>
Body paragraph 2
In gig economy in Australia, people get paid per occupation or job, despite of by the hour (Kaine and Josserand, 2019.). For example, a person working in Uber works on $3.75 AUD,
a gig that make a ride in morning, then sit twiddling their thumbs all day till another ride or gig comes in. It reflects that various people working in gig economy are facing issue of
earning less than hourly Minimum Wage along with no financial security.
Supporting evidence (dot points including reference information)
Kaine, S. and Josserand, E., 2019. The organisation and experience of work in the gig economy. Journal of Industrial Relations, 61(4), pp.479-501.
Body paragraph 3 (If necessary)
In Australia, people working in gig economy faces issue of loneliness. It is analysed that working in gig economy can make an individual very lonely addition to making them regret
those complaints from old days (Gonçalves, 2019). There are situations for people to work on laptops or other devices from home for which they are required to spend whole week

or month at home without interactions with real life.
Supporting evidence (dot points including reference information)
Gonçalves. A. 2019. What are pros and cons of working in gig economy. [Online]. Available through: <https://youmatter.world/en/pros-cons-gig-economy-27964/>
Conclusion
From the above information, it has been concluded that gig economy in a country impacts people in terms of lack of job security, physical as well as mental ill health,
restricted basic financial guarantees and so on. The labour being exploited as they are being mistreated and bounded by the conditions of the organisation and country. Key issues
that people in gig economy of Australia faces are loneliness, uncertainty and less earnings.
Restate your thesis (Summary of key points/ideas)
Gig workers has helped the economy in various ways but it has its own dark side. The labour being exploited as they are being mistreated and bounded by the conditions of the
organisation. In the above article Uber case is studied and it is seen that workers are in full control of the organisation. In the further research demands of the gig workers are asked.
It is argued that they need to be provided financial security, dignity as employee and flexibility.

Appendix 4
Part 5: Proofread and edit essay using checklist
Short essay features check list Yes No
Format
I have an Introduction, a body and a conclusion
Paragraphs are clear, begin on a new line and are easily identified.
Sentences begin with a capital letters and end with correct punctuation: (full stops, question
marks, exclamation marks)
✓
Vocabulary:
I have checked spelling of all words
I have used the correct terminology for the subject
✓
Coherence:
There is a thesis statement in the introduction which explains what the writing is about.
Each paragraph has a topic sentence
Each paragraph discusses only one main idea.
I support each point in my paragraphs with examples, quotations or statistics.
I cite the source of all supporting information.
I have used conjunctions and transition signals to show relationships between ideas
I repeat key nouns
My conclusion summarises the main points
✓
Grammar
I have checked that the nouns in my writing have the appropriate article
I have checked if the noun is singular or plural
I have used the correct tense
The verb agrees with the subject
Prepositions are correct
Word order is correct
✓
References:
All reported or copied information is sourced correctly
All my references are listed alphabetically and follow appropriate of referencing
✓
5.2 Go through the task checklist to make sure you have met all requirements
Task Checklist Tick when

completed
1.1 Write due date and word count
✓
1.2 Identify key terms and concepts of essay question
✓
1.3 Locate one additional suitable academic text from an academic website or a journal article from a
database ✓
2.2 Evaluate new sources and document your research notes using the Research management table
(CRAAP activity) ✓
2.3 Take notes in dot points to identify relevant information
✓
3.1 Summarise and record key relevant information in plan
✓
3.2 Each body paragraph must have a topic sentence and dot points supporting the controlling idea
✓
3.3 Conclusion
✓
3.4 Essay plan shown in class for feedback
✓
4.1 Essay is typed and formatted correctly using Arial/Calibri 11 point with 1.5 line spacing and academic
writing conventions ✓
5.1 Proofread and revise draft for logic, relevance, structure and sources
✓
5.2 Go through Criteria for Assessment and task checklist to make sure you have met all requirements
✓

Section C – Feedback to Student
Has the student successfully completed the task? Yes No
Feedback to student:
Assessor Name Date