What is the size and nature of the gig economy? What different models of
employment are there and how will this change in different sectors in the future?

Background

To further develop understanding of the current and future world of work to ensure that our regulatory approach remains suitable and sufficient, including where our regulatory interests extend beyond preventing harm to workers, e.g. covering assessment of potential adverse impacts of chemicals on the general public, consumers and the environment. To equip ourselves with new insights into the reasons why particular failures in health and safety occur. To develop the existing system of ongoing data collection, analysis, interpretation and result dissemination so that it continues to support HSE’s current priorities and prevention strategies and is flexible enough to adapt to change. To identify health and safety hazards and risks arising from change in the GB workforce and their work.

Next steps

Get in touch with hsecsa@hse.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

HS Es Areas of Research Interest ARI 2023

Related UKRI funded projects


  • Healthy, resilient and flexible: Co-developing a mental health intervention for and with frontline gig workers: a systems approach

    One thing the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted is the essential role of frontline gig workers - such as couriers, taxi drivers and home carers - in keeping the economies and our lives going, even when everything else ha...

    Funded by: MRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Manchester

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project partially answers the question by discussing the health and safety support for gig workers, but does not address the size and nature of the gig economy.

  • NEW CHALLENGES FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN TIMES OF THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN EUROPE: THE ROLE OF DIGITAL LABOUR PLATFORMS

    Many studies nowadays focus on taking stock of the platform economy in Europe (e.g., investigating its magnitude, business models, career and job characteristics of workers, ...), surprisingly the occupational safety and...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Warwick

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project partially answers the question by investigating the occupational safety and health implications of platform work, but does not address the size and nature of the gig economy.

  • Theorising the connections and continuities between gig labour/economies and platform urbanism

    In recent years, there has been a tremendous shift in the use of digital technologies in work, with the internet becoming a key facilitator in the organisation of work itself. This includes "on-demand work", a ...

    Funded by: UKRI

    Lead research organisation: Queen Mary University of London

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project partially answers the question by exploring the relationship between on-demand platforms and urban space, but does not address the size and nature of the gig economy.

  • Well-being and Productivity of Gig-Economy Workers in the UK and South Korea

    Gig economy workers are independent contractors, or "micro entrepreneurs", who provide services via apps. Work in the gig economy is increasingly commonplace, and expected to grow exponentially in the near futu...

    Funded by: FIC

    Lead research organisation: University of Leicester

  • The effect of gig economy work on workers' financial (in)security and the mediating role of social security systems

    Receive a request for a job through your phone, perform the task using your own facilities and get paid. This type of 'gig work' is regarded as the model of work for the future, but it is already experienced by many work...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Birmingham

  • Digital Futures at Work Research Centre

    The Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Dig.IT) will establish itself as an essential resource for those wanting to understand how new digital technologies are profoundly reshaping the world of work. Digitalisation ...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Sussex

  • Open Space Network: Building sustainable distributed working spaces for autonomous teams.

    Following the outbreak of Covid-19, working practices have undeniably changed. 46% of UK employees worked from home (WFH) in April (ONS) and the accelerated digital transformation of working it necessitated will continue...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: OPEN SPACE NETWORK LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project addresses the size and nature of the gig economy, different models of employment, and future changes in work sectors related to Covid-19 impact.

  • Leesman Home Working Survey and Analysis

    In response to the COVID-19 global outbreak, economists estimate that UK GDP will fall by up to 30%. Forecasting the impacts of such an unprecedented pandemic is near impossible due to the ambiguity around the demise of ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: LEESMAN LIMITED

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