Are gig workers their 'own boss'?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses.

In Episode 4, Ben and Marini take down the myth that food delivery couriers and drivers working on a digital labour platform are their 'own boss'. They find that employment misclassification is a means for platforms to avoid their responsibilities to their workers.

Previous episodes:

Ep 1: What is the gig economy?

Ep 2: Why are gig workers paid-per-task?

Ep 3: What is the algorithm?

Future episodes:

Ep 5: is gig work really flexible?

Ep 6: is the gig economy really “a godsend” for women?

Ep 7: is platform work good for ethnic minorities?

Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful?

Ep 9: Why do platforms struggle to turn a profit?

Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union?

Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data?

You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, iTunes or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project.

Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig.

If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.