How many times have you heard of "Gig economy"? You know what a gig is, right? For those who know, don't spoil: I'll tell everyone in short. A gig is temporary or casual work that is done by an independent worker, often through an online platform. The so-called gig economy is based on the offer of this type of work, which is usually carried out on a part-time or "per gig" basis, on a single job, rather than with a full-time job and a traditional contract.
The pros? The gig economy also offers more flexibility and the ability to choose your working hours, which can be particularly appealing to some people. The cons? Gig workers often lack access to paid leave benefits, or (in some countries) health care, and may find it difficult to plan for their long-term future.
Piecemeal work
To date, there are several "gigized" jobs, and various platforms have sprung up that "break up" a continuous profession, making it "piecemeal", or if you prefer by objectives. With all its burden of flexibility (and precariousness, to some extent) for employers and employees, the gig economy is changing the way companies hire and use staff. Some profession transformed by the gig economy?
- Rideshare driver: use own car to offer transportation services with apps like Uber o Lyft.
- Graphic or web designer: offers graphic or web design services with apps like Fiverr o Upwork. (remotely)
- Photographer or videomaker: sells images and videos, or offers photo/video services with apps like Depositphotos o Shutterstock. (remotely)
- Handyman, cleaner or mover: offers services of various kinds with apps such as taskrabbit o mobile (in person or remotely)
- Artisan: offers crafting or repairing services with apps like Etsy o Storenvy.
- Fitness or yoga instructor: offers workout services or yoga classes with apps like Classpass o Fit Reserve.
Gig economy, now also cashiers
The proposal of this startup made me turn up my nose. I don't know, it has something that doesn't convince me: but it is undoubtedly an example of how the Gig Economy can expand... or overflow and collapse. Bite Ninja is a company that has set out to change the way the fast food industry works by providing restaurants with remote cashiers.
The goal of this solution, conceived last year in the US, is to help restaurants solve the understaffing problem they are facing across the country. Bite Ninja's "ninjas" can apply through the app of the same name, and remotely choose a free work shift. At the end of the shift, they directly collect the money from the "Gig" made: no weekly wages but "a few, cursed and immediately". This flexible system gives restaurants access to more workers and gives cashiers the ability to work a schedule that best suits their needs.
Can it work?
Will Clem, co-founder of Bite Ninja, says this solution is “changing the game” for the fast food industry, allowing restaurants to stay open and serve customers even if they don't have enough staff on site. I say that the adoption of this solution pose problems, such as the training and integration of remote workers. I imagine it will be crucial to ensure that remote cashiers have all the equipment and resources they need to do their job well, lest a dancer connection leave a customer mid-order.
Apart from the challenges, the really bad points (my opinion) are others. There are many restaurants, one menu is not worth the other, convincing a customer staying at home and perhaps without ever having covered that role is not the best. I understand everything, I understand society more and more cashless e contactless (for economic reasons, health reasons, whatever you want). It is a hybrid that cannot work, at least as conceived: just watch the introductory video to realize it. The human factor, paradoxically, is harmful.
If I have to go into a restaurant and see a guy in a square who's been in there for 10 minutes, then better a robot, or an interactive kiosk, or whatever. In the world, for the sake of "working biodiversity" (pass me the term), not everything can, not everything must enter the Gig economy.
