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Caring in the Gig Economy: A Relational Perspective of Decent Work

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Hameed Khan

    (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)

  • Jannine Williams

    (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)

  • Penny Williams

    (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)

  • Robyn Mayes

    (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)

Abstract

The rapidly expanding gig economy has been criticized for creating precarious and indecent working conditions. These critiques draw on decent work debates centred on employment classification, regulation and platform fairness, with less focus on the interactions between workers, platforms and clients, which are central to the experience of platform-mediated work. This article adopts a worker-centric relational perspective to explore decent work in the gig economy. Drawing on the experiences of workers in platform-mediated domestic care work, the insights from this study highlight the importance of social interactions and relationships, using an ethics of care lens, to elucidate how relational aspects shape workers’ experiences. The findings reveal platform workers centre mutuality of interests, responsiveness and reciprocity, attentiveness and solidarity to maintain a balance of care (care-for-self and care-for-others) when negotiating platform-mediated care work. This article contributes relationality as a key dimension of decent work currently overlooked in studies exploring gig work arrangements.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Hameed Khan & Jannine Williams & Penny Williams & Robyn Mayes, 2024. "Caring in the Gig Economy: A Relational Perspective of Decent Work," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(4), pages 1107-1127, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:38:y:2024:i:4:p:1107-1127
    DOI: 10.1177/09500170231173586
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    References listed on IDEAS

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