Gig work: second class work or first class choice?

1. Technology, technology and technology.
   The booming of technology is the main reason behind the booming of the gig economy. New applications, innovative technologies, A.I. have made possible and facilitated globalisation and freelancing on a global scale - in a sense, one could say technology has democratised work. Wherever you are, whoever you are, you can work for people and businesses located wherever in the world depending on the nature of your services. Then, A.I. has made it possible to match the best workers with the best matching tasks in a few seconds. And everything is mobile - one can receive emails, have online meetings and be in constant communication via a smartphone on the go. Technology, in short, has made it possible and very easy and quick to do business online.
   
   
2. The flexibility is sweet.
   Millennials appreciate the flexibility that technology offers them. By working remotely and not constrained by a 9 to 5 working week, they can have better control over their lives and achieve the work-life balance they want. Moreover, Millennials are a generation that is highly familiar with digital technologies and automation. It is only natural for them to work in the way the gig economy does.
   
   
3. Special conditions.
   Then, there are people that find in the gig economy the perfect solution for making a living. Think about students, who are in need of flexible, part-time gigs to finance their studies; parents who want to stay at home with their kids and need to work flexible hours on their own terms; or immigrants who land on a foreign country with no connections or language skills and, who, sometimes also have to deal with prejudice and even racism. All these people can more easily find jobs in the gig economy field.
   
   
4. Diversity is queen.
   Last, but not least, we should point out that gig work is very diverse and allows for many different paths. Driving with Uber or delivering food with Foodora are not the only options gig workers have. This is a broad misconception. There is a vast pool of options for almost every kind of occupation and service in categories like teaching, driving, freelancing, pet sitting, private care, car or home rental etc. And many gig workers have the opportunity to achieve the optimal schedule and earnings for them by combining and complementing their gigs.
   
   As the gig economy grows the misconceptions surrounding it will ultimately vanish, but meanwhile, let’s try to be open minded and see the gig world as it is: an economy field that is for many workers a conscious choice and not a last resort solution for making a living.

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