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I totally get the negative consequences of gig jobs: no benefits, security and so forth. But whenever I take an Uber or Lyft (maybe 100 in the US and UK) I ask

I totally get the negative consequences of gig jobs: no benefits, security and so forth. But whenever I take an Uber or Lyft (maybe 100 in the US and UK) I ask the driver how they feel about the job. Almost all of them are happy with it - some gripe about the pay but they like the flexibility. It's possible they aren't thinking far enough ahead - and I'm talking to the self selected group who didn't get a disabling injury or illness and fall into poverty.

sgillen 7y ago
I think people in general want to put up a positive persona up. I think most people (certainly not all) aren’t going to tell strangers how awful their job is, even if they think that.
- Zak 7y ago
  I have a couple of friends who have driven for Uber and found it to be a positive experience. It's not very many peoples' dream job, but it's a way to make money with a fairly low barrier to entry for anyone who already has a suitable car. It offers a lot more flexibility than, for example a retail or restaurant job.
ilaksh 7y ago
What is that supposed to mean, "they aren't thinking far enough ahead"? Are you trying to say that since Uber drivers didn't complain about a lack of benefits or lay out their ten year plan for a stranger that it's evidence that they "can't think ahead" and plan to be an Uber driver forever?
- cheerlessbog 7y ago
  I'm saying they may not have thought through what they will do in the case of sudden debilitating illness. Most of us don't.
  - ilaksh 7y ago
    Of course they thought it through. They just don't get health insurance. The choice was between having an income with no health insurance and having no income. It's not easy to get work.
acdha 7y ago
People don’t want to admit that they have a horrible job in general but I would bet that’s especially true in a context where everything is so dependent on getting a 5 star review. I don’t think they’re all secretly miserable but I would love to see public stats on turnover.

sgillen 7y ago

I think people in general want to put up a positive persona up. I think most people (certainly not all) aren’t going to tell strangers how awful their job is, even if they think that.

Zak 7y ago
I have a couple of friends who have driven for Uber and found it to be a positive experience. It's not very many peoples' dream job, but it's a way to make money with a fairly low barrier to entry for anyone who already has a suitable car. It offers a lot more flexibility than, for example a retail or restaurant job.

ilaksh 7y ago

What is that supposed to mean, "they aren't thinking far enough ahead"? Are you trying to say that since Uber drivers didn't complain about a lack of benefits or lay out their ten year plan for a stranger that it's evidence that they "can't think ahead" and plan to be an Uber driver forever?

cheerlessbog 7y ago
I'm saying they may not have thought through what they will do in the case of sudden debilitating illness. Most of us don't.
- ilaksh 7y ago
  Of course they thought it through. They just don't get health insurance. The choice was between having an income with no health insurance and having no income. It's not easy to get work.

acdha 7y ago

People don’t want to admit that they have a horrible job in general but I would bet that’s especially true in a context where everything is so dependent on getting a 5 star review. I don’t think they’re all secretly miserable but I would love to see public stats on turnover.