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The number of contract workers is actually down since 2005. The BLS just released updated numbers recently. The "gig" economy is a made up story.

e1ven 8y ago
Your observation about the number of workers this effects seems out of place. For the many people who do work these jobs, this ruling strengthens their protection.
- slededit 8y ago
  The "gig economy" perpetuates a false narrative that traditional jobs are being replaced with contractors. The numbers simply don't bear that out. It's tangential to whether or not contract worker protections should be enhanced. I correct misinformation when I see it. The world is awash in false information.
Cthulhu_ 8y ago
Are gig economy people included in that figure? It seems like a category on its own, contract workers (the way I see it) still get to work full-time instead of 'whatever the market demands'.
- slededit 8y ago
  Uber drivers are contract workers (except in NY I guess). Yes they are included. A month ago we didn't have post Uber data. Now we do.
  - mbesto 8y ago
    Source please?
    - slededit 8y ago
      https://work.qz.com/1296208/gig-economy-data-from-the-bls-the-federal-government-is-about-to-release-statistics-on-nontraditional-employment/ https://work.qz.com/1296208/gig-economy-data-from-the-bls-th...
      - mbesto 8y ago
        > the US federal government will release data showing how many workers rely on non-traditional work arrangements That article just says "we'll find out soon"...
        slededit 8y ago
        I assumed you wanted analysis connecting the report to Uber. The actual data is publicly available on the BLS website. I'm all for greater contract worker protections. People seem to think this is some value judgement on that issue. there are valid arguments that some aspects aren't accounted for in this report. But the perception I had was that the gig economy was becoming a sizeable portion of the workforce. Were it true we'd expect it to spill over in BLS numbers regardless of their deficiencies. Last month we had no data so that's excusable. But now that we do it should be talked about.
ellisv 8y ago
I'm guessing this [1] is the report you're referring to. The problem is that "contingent workers are persons who do not expect their jobs to last or who report that their jobs are temporary" and I don't think factors in anyone with a full or part-time job that also does side work. [1] https://www.bls.gov/news.release/conemp.nr0.htm https://www.bls.gov/news.release/conemp.nr0.htm
- slededit 8y ago
  The report was actually awaited on with great fanfare. When it didn't confirm preconceived notions it seems to have been buried. I only heard the actual results from an obscure show on Harvard Business Radio. To me this exemplifies everything that is wrong with the media today.
cgriswald 8y ago
The BLS data you seem to be referencing[0] categorizes the various forms of contract workers based on their primary job (i.e., where they work the most hours). It is possible for a few part-time gig workers who have other jobs to replace a full-time traditional worker without increasing the number of contract workers reported in that data. Additionally, many independent taxi/limo drivers work for their own businesses, but employ a variety of 'gig' jobs (Uber, Door Dash, etc.) to get clients. It is not clear to me whether the BLS data identifies these as contract workers. So, you might be right, but without better evidence and a more complex analysis from you, I can't really buy your conclusion. [0] - https://www.bls.gov/news.release/conemp.nr0.htm https://www.bls.gov/news.release/conemp.nr0.htm
- slededit 8y ago
  The fact your asking better analysis from me shows the failure of our news infrastructure. I myself was very surprised by this information. Data that contradicts our preconceived notions should be talked about loudly. So far most of the analysis I see - where it mentions this at all - speaks of only absolute numbers which is almost useless. For all the press the gig economy has gotten I'd expect more.

e1ven 8y ago

Your observation about the number of workers this effects seems out of place. For the many people who do work these jobs, this ruling strengthens their protection.

slededit 8y ago
The "gig economy" perpetuates a false narrative that traditional jobs are being replaced with contractors. The numbers simply don't bear that out. It's tangential to whether or not contract worker protections should be enhanced. I correct misinformation when I see it. The world is awash in false information.

Cthulhu_ 8y ago

Are gig economy people included in that figure? It seems like a category on its own, contract workers (the way I see it) still get to work full-time instead of 'whatever the market demands'.

slededit 8y ago
Uber drivers are contract workers (except in NY I guess). Yes they are included. A month ago we didn't have post Uber data. Now we do.
- mbesto 8y ago
  Source please?
  - slededit 8y ago
    https://work.qz.com/1296208/gig-economy-data-from-the-bls-the-federal-government-is-about-to-release-statistics-on-nontraditional-employment/ https://work.qz.com/1296208/gig-economy-data-from-the-bls-th...
    - mbesto 8y ago
      > the US federal government will release data showing how many workers rely on non-traditional work arrangements That article just says "we'll find out soon"...
      - slededit 8y ago
        I assumed you wanted analysis connecting the report to Uber. The actual data is publicly available on the BLS website. I'm all for greater contract worker protections. People seem to think this is some value judgement on that issue. there are valid arguments that some aspects aren't accounted for in this report. But the perception I had was that the gig economy was becoming a sizeable portion of the workforce. Were it true we'd expect it to spill over in BLS numbers regardless of their deficiencies. Last month we had no data so that's excusable. But now that we do it should be talked about.

ellisv 8y ago

I'm guessing this [1] is the report you're referring to. The problem is that "contingent workers are persons who do not expect their jobs to last or who report that their jobs are temporary" and I don't think factors in anyone with a full or part-time job that also does side work. [1] https://www.bls.gov/news.release/conemp.nr0.htm https://www.bls.gov/news.release/conemp.nr0.htm

slededit 8y ago
The report was actually awaited on with great fanfare. When it didn't confirm preconceived notions it seems to have been buried. I only heard the actual results from an obscure show on Harvard Business Radio. To me this exemplifies everything that is wrong with the media today.

cgriswald 8y ago

The BLS data you seem to be referencing[0] categorizes the various forms of contract workers based on their primary job (i.e., where they work the most hours). It is possible for a few part-time gig workers who have other jobs to replace a full-time traditional worker without increasing the number of contract workers reported in that data. Additionally, many independent taxi/limo drivers work for their own businesses, but employ a variety of 'gig' jobs (Uber, Door Dash, etc.) to get clients. It is not clear to me whether the BLS data identifies these as contract workers. So, you might be right, but without better evidence and a more complex analysis from you, I can't really buy your conclusion. [0] - https://www.bls.gov/news.release/conemp.nr0.htm https://www.bls.gov/news.release/conemp.nr0.htm

slededit 8y ago
The fact your asking better analysis from me shows the failure of our news infrastructure. I myself was very surprised by this information. Data that contradicts our preconceived notions should be talked about loudly. So far most of the analysis I see - where it mentions this at all - speaks of only absolute numbers which is almost useless. For all the press the gig economy has gotten I'd expect more.