Gig Work, a new phenomenon on the Swiss labour market

According to the labour union Syndicom, 17 percent of all people with internet access in Switzerland engage in gig work at least occasionally. Gig work, also known as platform work, is consequently a significant phenomenon on the Swiss labour market. This project examined the experiences of gig workers regarding their everyday working lives and employment histories from the perspectives of work and organisational psychology and human resources management. The research team conducted interviews with 80 gig workers in Switzerland, Austria and Germany to understand their motives for engaging in platform work, its risks and challenges, and the career-related factors that foster success on platforms. Additionally, the study gathered quantitative data on gig workers in Switzerland, Germany and Austria as part of a longitudinal survey conducted over 12 months.

Although some initial research has been done on gig work, the literature revealed significant gaps in the following three areas:

1. the link between characteristics and motivations of gig workers and the type of gig work
2. the investigation of potential positive and negative effects of different types of gig work
3. data-driven research approaches to gather the best possible information for all stakeholders

The following questions can now be addressed upon the completion of the research project:

1. How do gig workers choose a specific type of work?
2. How can gig workers be characterised and classified within a typology? And how does this typology relate to different types of gig work?
3. How do different types of gig work affect career development, health, well-being, and work-life balance?

The project highlights the social risks and opportunities of gig work. For the first time, the researchers were able to provide data-based recommendations for policymakers, labour unions, platforms and gig workers to contribute to the development of a sustainable Swiss gig economy.

Three key takeaways:

Highly qualified platform work offers opportunities for people in the Swiss labour market.

The majority of those surveyed come from middle-class backgrounds and possess higher educational qualifications. A striking proportion of platform workers perceive substantial opportunities for professional development through platform work, with notable rates in Switzerland (38 percent), Austria (30 percent) and Germany (22 percent). Forty-eight percent of platform workers have a strong desire to be self-employed.

Platform work presents risks that platforms and policymakers should address.

Challenges include balancing finances with the desired lifestyle, coping with irregular income and concerns about a secure basic income in the long term. Moreover, there is uncertainty about long-term career prospects, feelings of social isolation and the persistent pressure to self-advertise. Around half of those surveyed reported feeling constantly monitored by algorithms. Consequently, platform environments need to provide support in customer contact, such as responsive help desks. Clear guidelines on how monitoring operates and how data is used can also help reduce the feeling of surveillance.

Platform work offers opportunities, provided there is investment in a digital Swiss ecosystem.

The assessment system on platforms should be expanded to include additional competences in order to promote learning and personal development, build trust between workers and clients, and improve the matching of people and assignments. Platform work can also be used specifically to develop new skills and networks, whether in self-employment or in combination with traditional employment, for example, through accompanying career counselling.

Gig Work in Switzerland: Types, Opportunities, and Risks of a Digitalized Labour Market Phenomenon