Good and Bad Faces of the Gig Economy and Its Impact on UK Gig Workers

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the gig economy, focusing on its impact on gig workers in the UK. The study explores both the positive and negative aspects of this evolving work model, examining the advantages such as flexible working hours and independence, as well as the challenges like isolation and lack of benefits. The research, based on qualitative methods and interviews with 20 gig workers, aims to identify the key characteristics of the gig economy and determine whether it offers the best deal for gig workers. The report also includes a literature review covering the concept of the gig economy, its advantages and challenges, and potential improvements in working conditions. Finally, the report offers recommendations, suggesting ways for the gig economy to improve the working conditions of workers. This report contributes to the understanding of the gig economy's evolving landscape and its implications for the workforce.

Good and bad faces of the gig
economy.
Is the gig economy the best deal for
gig workers?

ABSTRACT
This present dissertation is about Good and bad faces of the gig economy in context to gig
workers. The aim of the study is to identify the good and bad faces of the gig economy and the
entire research is based on qualitative methods. A study on gig workers in UK. Gig economy has
become popular since many years it was because people were attracted towards the business in
gig economy. Gig economy is the system of free market in which temporary positions are
common and companies contract with independent workers for short period. Greater
independence is another advantage that gig workers enjoyed working as a freelancer in the gig
economy.
The very first benefit that gig workers are enjoying is flexible working as gig economy
allows freelancer to work whenever they want because of several options like working hours,
desire to work, place and there are various options available for gig workers to select. Working
in isolation and lack of cultural commonness are another biggest challenge that gig workers
faced working in gig economy. 20 Gig workers of UK economy has been chosen for study. Form
the above findings it has been summarised that gig economy is a growing concept in UK as most
of the people who wants to work and want to be self-employed can work according to their time
and comfort. Researcher also suggested that gig economy should collaborate with zero base
working hour company that can provide set up a different cabin for all the freelancers so that
they can get the corporate feel and social environment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................2
TOPIC:.............................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
Overview of Topic..................................................................................................................1
Background of the Research...................................................................................................1
Aims and Objectives...............................................................................................................3
Rationale:................................................................................................................................3
Chapter Structure....................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................5
Introduction............................................................................................................................5
The detailed concept of gig economy.....................................................................................5
Advantages of gig economy for gig workers.........................................................................6
Challenges gig workers faced working with the gig economy...............................................7
Ways for bringing improvement in the working conditions of the gig workers....................8
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................8
Research methods...................................................................................................................8
Research approach..................................................................................................................9
Research Design.....................................................................................................................9
Research philosophy...............................................................................................................9
Sampling...............................................................................................................................10
Data collection......................................................................................................................10
Data analysis.........................................................................................................................10
Ethical consideration............................................................................................................11
Research limitation...............................................................................................................11
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ...................................................11
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................20
Conclusion............................................................................................................................20
Recommendation..................................................................................................................21
Personal reflection................................................................................................................22

REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................24
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................28

TOPIC:
Good and bad faces of the gig economy. Is the gig economy the best deal for gig
workers?
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Overview of Topic
Gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and
organisation contract with independent workers for short term engagements. The term gig
economy is a slang work meaning “a job for specified period of time”. Few examples of gig
employees in the workforce could include freelancers, independents contractors, project-based
workers and temporary part-time hires (Kalleberg and Dunn, 2016). In the gig economy,
businesses save resources in terms of benefits, training and office space. Further, they also have
the capability to contract with experts for project who may be too high prices in order to
maintained on staff (Good and Bad Faces of Gig Economy, 2019).
The fundamental benefits of the gig economy to the economy of United Kingdom though
is undoubtedly its impact on jobs. After the financial crash of 2008, people have sought new
opportunities to make money. In United Kingdom, there are many people who are working on a
self-employed basis (Impact of Gig Economy on UK, 2018). There are some popular
organisations like Deliveroo and Uber that represents just a fraction of the market and it also
allows people to work more freely. On the other hand, the development and growth opportunities
are very less, stress is also very high, isolation working and lack of cultural commonness. (Wood
and et.al., 2019) Thus, this present research paper will identify the good and bad faced of the gig
economy in respect to gig workers by applying various techniques and methods.
Background of the Research
This present research is based on the good and bad faces of gig economy in regards with
gig workers. It is true that 21st century has been remarkable for so many things including Inter of
Things (IOT), disruptive innovation, social media, a period of recession and all the rise of gig
economy. Modern market is called as gig economy. There are many advantages that workers
enjoy employees in the business of gig economy such as flexibility of work and time, greater
independence, could earn more and there are variety of jobs available for workers. On the
contrary there is bad face of gig economy which are like no extra benefits, lack of cultural
commonness working in isolation and more stress (Parigi and Ma, 2016). This research will

present the detailed concept of good and bad faced of gig economy. To analyse the current
market scenario in the economy for gig workers would have effective ascertainment over the
importance and having a balanced employment rate.
2

Aims and Objectives
Aims:
“To identify the good and bad faces of the gig economy. A study on gig workers in UK”.
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of gig economy.
 To identify advantages of gig economy for gig workers.
 To determine the challenges gig workers faced working with the gig economy.
 To provide ways for bringing improvement in the working style of the gig workers.
Research Question:
11 What is the concept of gig economy?11 What are the advantages of gig economy for gig workers?11 What are the challenges gig workers faced working with the gig economy?11 What are the ways for bringing improvement in the working style of the gig workers?
Rationale:
Gig economy is not a new concept in United Kingdom as the number of self-employed
people in the country is continuously rising from 2001. In 2001, there are approximately 45
percent of people are self-employed but in 2017 more than 15 percent of UK population are
working in gig economy. Thus, the reason for choosing this topic is to understand the good and
bad faced of gig economy as well as to understand the reason of its popularity in UK. In addition
to this, the academic interest of researcher is also another reason that leads to consider this
research topic. As this topic of gig economy will help researcher in to gain knowledge of the
study as well as the knowledge of research methodologies will help in future dissertation.
Chapter Structure
CHAPTER DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCTION This chapter is based on outlining the overview
of the study as well as topic. Researcher will
focus on developing a brief understanding of
topic of the research and provide research
background. Aims, objectives and research
questions are also formed in this chapter.
Further, reason for choosing the topic impact

of gig economy on gig workers is also
specified in this chapter.
LITERATURE REVIEW This is the second chapter of the dissertation
where the discussion of secondary facts as well
as findings which are gathered by several
researchers or scholars. Books, journals,
articles, government publications, blogs and
are the sources of information. All the aims
and objectives of the study are critically
understood.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This is the third chapter that is based on the
implication of research tools. These research
tools assist scholar in collecting, analysing and
interpreting data. This chapter is very
important as it makes easy and effective in
collecting the data from authentic sources.
DATA ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION
This chapter is based on the data collection
process held by researcher where scholar will
collect data from survey via questionnaire.
Researcher will present the data through charts,
tables and graphs.
CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
This chapter is the summary of whole study
that will help in valuing information which are
collected by researcher. Scholar will also
provide recommendations and ways gig
economy to improve the working condition of
workers. The judgement will be descriptive on
the basis of all chapters which will make clear
assumption of over every information collected

and analysed.
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This is second chapter of dissertation which provided in-depth knowledge to the chosen
topic. It provided the detailed summary as well as explanation of the research topic which is gig
economy. The information will be collected through authentic books, journals, articles,
government publication and other valid sources. This present literature review is thematic view
in which researcher has formed four themes related to the objectives of the study. The main
purpose of literature review is to highlight the key findings of the research as well as it also
provides users easy access to research on gig economy.
The detailed concept of gig economy.
According to the Parigi and Ma, (2016) the gig economy has become popular since many
years it is because people are attracting towards the business in gig economy. Gig economy is
the system of free market in which temporary positions are common and companies contract
with independent workers for short period of time. The jobs in gig economy are flexible and
company tends to recruit freelancers and independent contractors rather than full-time workers.
In the era of digitalisation, gig economy is increasingly becoming popular especially for those
people who prefer to work from home or work remotely. However, Bryson, (2018) said that, the
freelance work that is commissioned on short term basis is called as gig economy. It has been
determined that gig economy has becomes as essential and growing issue in many nations as not
only United Kingdom and United states but gig economy is flourishing in France, Belgium,
Germany, China, Finland, Austria, India, Poland, New Zealand, Spain, Belarus, Czech Republic
and Canada. However, In United Kingdom, there are many people who are working on a self-
employed basis. There are some popular organisation like Deliveroo and Uber that represents
just a fraction of the market and it also allows people to work more freely,
As per the Ashford, Caza and Reid, (2018) there is one essential factor which is very
significantly required in gig economy is high-tech environment to operate with the customers
using online platforms as well as applications to order books and goods services. Technology is
very essential part in the gig economy because business cannot able to thrive if technological
platform is weak. Take an example of Croatia as it is one of the country that could nit able to

develop gig economy because they could not able to create an effective online platform. But
Gross, Musgrave and Janciute, (2018) argued that, advance and innovative technology and high-
tech environment does not only mean that gig economy will inevitably thrive as there are many
other factors such as regularity, laws and cultural factors have an essential role to play. Take an
example of Japan, still do not regard to gig economy as it is a signifiant issue, save for concern
that gig workers may enjoy less income as well protection of social security.
Advantages of gig economy for gig workers.
As per the findings of Wilson and et.al., (2018) It is reported from various authentic data
that more than 15 percent of UK population are self-employed. People are attracting towards the
gig economy is because of many advantages or benefits which people are gaining from the
business in gig economy. There are variety of advantages that gig workers are enjoying working
with the freelancing businesses. The very first advantage that gig workers are enjoying is flexible
working. Gig economy allows freelancer to work whenever they want. There are many options
like working hours, desire to work, place and there are various options available for gig workers
to choose. Carr and et.al., (2017) argued that, flexibility is considerable but once the freelancer
takes the work, he/she is given deadlines for that in which they have to complete. It they do not
complete the work on timely basis than they will not be pay. People are also taking and
completing there education along with the business only because of flexible working hours.
As per the views of Brinkley, (2016) greater independence is another advantage that gig
workers enjoyed working as a freelancer in the gig economy. As many contracts or gig economy
workers find that they are provided independence to complete their work. In gig economy, there
are no one to look over shoulders, as workers are alone competing their work on given deadline.
Thus, it encourages as well as boost confidence on the workers and provide them ability to
accomplished there work as it is believing that it brings more efficiency in the work. Holmwood,
(2016) argued that, no one is perfect by their own, guidance and monitoring improve the work
and bring accuracy in the work. It is very important to have someone that guides and monitor the
work done. However, Huws and et.al., (2017) said that, gig economy provides variety of jobs to
people as working in company there is similar type of work is given on daily basis which make
them uninterested with that. Gig economy provides different types of project to freelancer every
day that provides intense knowledge and raise the skills. In addition to this, in terms of pay,
freelancer enjoys as they can charge hourly rates for their time and they get extra pay whenever

they do extra work. For example, phone calls and meetings are also billable because time is also
consumed in these activities too.
Challenges gig workers faced working with the gig economy.
As per the views Stewart and Stanford, (2017) gig economy is becoming popular and it is
true but still there are various challenges that gig workers are facing. Gig workers are not getting
any benefits as these are not the part of their packages. Full-time employees enjoy several
benefits like rewards, recognition, fringe benefits, insurance, healthcare and all other benefits
which companies provides to their workers. Thus, gig employees are away from all these
benefits as these benefits. Benefits are very important for the bringing more efficiency in the
work as it motivates them. However, Aloisi, (2015) stated that, there are many companies who
did not removes taxes from the pay-check as it means paying taxes is something that company
needs to plan. The workers in gig economy are responsible for personal expenses which relate to
the working such as mobile phones and laptops. Whereas these can be written off for taxes and it
is very to ensure the deduction. Thus, in order to overcome these challenges, freelancers or gig
workers like to work with the accountants so that all these deductions and other things are look
over by the accountant.
As per the views of Healy, Nicholson and Pekarek, (2017) working in isolation and lack
of cultural commonness are another biggest challenge that gig workers faced working in gig
economy. There is no social and friendliness environment available for gig workers as they do
not go to office. Freelancers usually miss the social groups which are present in offices.
Companies organise parties, tea break talks, appraisal functions and many others which is very
important for a human being. Gig workers work in isolation as there are no parties and function
organised for them. It is true that it adds flexibility but on the other hand, it also causes
separation from society and people. However, Howard, (2017) stated another bad face of gig
economy which has become challenging for gig workers is more stress as they have to
continuously working to find the next gig. These things lead to high stress as they do not feel
steady as well as secure in their employment. In addition to this, they also face unexpected
changes such as changes in their pay or being let go. It is true that stress is not at all good for the
health and life of any person. However, De Stefano, (2015) articulated that, workers are not
given any training and skill development opportunities as they have to manage there skills and
learning by their own.

Ways for bringing improvement in the working conditions of the gig workers.
According to the Webster, (2016) as the growth of gig economy is on highest pace
nowadays, so it is also very important to alter the bad face of gig economy into good face.
Workers in gig economy is facing serious challenges that is directly influencing the personality
and career development. The best way to improve the working conditions of gig workers is that
freelancing companies could make contract with Zero-hour contract base firms as these
enterprises provides environment like other employees but have flexible working hours. These
companies render all the corporate environment like parties, teas-breaks, social environment,
friends, colleges and all other elements which overcome the challenge of isolation working and
lack of culture commonness. Thus, this is the best way to improve the working conditions of gig
workers.
As per the findings of Hunt and et.al., (2018) gig economy should plan budget for
workers like planning of retirement, insurance, healthcare benefits etc. as these policies is also
beneficial for the freelancing companies as they find loyal workers which is important assert for
the company. As per the Graham and et.al., (2017) training and skill development opportunities
are also one of the best ways to improve the working condition as well as to bring more
efficiency in their work. Today, technology has been the great advancement and innovation.
Freelancing companies can also provide training through online such as CBT computer-based
learning, e-learning, distance learning where the guidance, instruction or knowledge everything
is communicated through internet
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methods
The researcher uses mainly two types of methods in carrying out the research. There are
two types of research methods which are quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative methods are
used when researcher needs to identify the problem by generating quantitative values. This
method is used to measure opinion, attitude and behaviour in numerical terms and take wide
range of sample to draw conclusions. The qualitative data whereas deals in understanding the
issue and formulating hypothesis based on understanding of attitudes, beliefs and opinions
(Bulmer, 2017). These data are mostly semi structured and take small size of sample to draw
conclusions and use common methods like observation and interview etc.