The Gig Economy and the Future of Work : Global Trends and Policy Directions for Non-Standard Forms of Employment

Gig Work, a term coined around 1915 and more recently popularized by platform work, describes the exchange of labor for money on a short-term and payment-by-task basis. At present, gig work, flexi-work, on-call work, freelance, and other future terms describe non-standard employment (NSE) forms that deviate from the conventional parameters of standard employment. When these forms become prevalent, we can talk about a Gig Economy. This brief examines the Future of Work through the lens of labor contracts governing workers’ rights, social protections, pensions, end-of-service benefits, and active labor market programs, the cost of which impacts, firms, and workers. The brief aims to help policymakers navigate some of the challenges associated with emerging forms of work. It provides a summary of global trends, emerging evidence, international experiences, and policy directions for interventions targeting non-standard work.