The Gig Economy-Is It Right For You?
With the explosion of the “gig economy” defined by columnist, Brianna, of “Ask Brianna” as the collection of online platforms that let workers sell their services directly to consumers on their own schedules, this type of arrangement can work well for many people but there is a downside. The upside is that a gig affords flexibility and helps you make extra money while you’re in between jobs or need to pay off a loan that is due. The downside is that working a gig does not offer full-time hours, benefits or a 401(k) match. There is no paid sick time. Lawsuits now continue over whether gig-economy participants should be classified as employees or independent contractors. One proposal coming out of the Brookings Institution’s Hamilton Project, argue that workers in the gig economy should be considered an entirely separate class of workers so they get certain traditional benefits. Will that happen in the near future? Who knows. How many of you are working in the gig economy? Is it right for you?
