Upcoming Survey in Gig Economy Poised to Provide Improved Worker Data

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is gearing up to release new survey data this year in an effort to accurately capture workers in the gig economy. Previous attempts to measure this group have yielded inaccurate and questionable results, leading to a lack of clarity on the actual size and scope of this segment of the workforce. The upcoming results are expected to shed light on this contentious issue and provide valuable insights into the gig economy landscape.

According to BLS spokesperson Cody Parkinson, the results of the survey are anticipated to be released in 2024. This data comes as a newly formed Work Arrangements Committee, comprised of multiple agencies, is working to enhance the survey methodology. The committee’s goal is to address the longstanding debate surrounding the number of workers participating in the gig economy, with estimates ranging from less than 5% to over 30% of the total workforce.

Heidi Shierholz, former chief economist at the US Department of Labor, expressed frustration at the lack of accurate information on the gig economy, highlighting the outdated nature of existing surveys. She emphasized the importance of reliable data for policymakers to make informed decisions regarding federal benefit programs and labor policies.

The gig economy encompasses a wide range of industries, including tech giants like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash, as well as sectors such as trucking, construction, journalism, and financial services. The classification of workers as independent contractors in these industries has raised concerns about the lack of minimum wage protections and collective bargaining rights afforded to employees under federal laws.

Federal and state regulators have been grappling with how to provide protections and benefits to gig workers while facing resistance from industries that rely on independent contractor arrangements. Unions, Democrats, and worker advocates argue that companies use the contractor designation to evade legal and tax responsibilities associated with hiring employees.

The newly formed interagency Work Arrangements Committee, chaired by the BLS, is tasked with harmonizing data on individuals engaged in non-permanent, non-year-round, and non-full-time employment with unpredictable hours. The committee’s focus is on defining work arrangements for statistical purposes and proposing survey questions to measure the prevalence and characteristics of nonstandard and contract work arrangements.

Past attempts to measure the gig economy have fallen short, with surveys omitting certain types of workers and yielding inaccurate results. Economists and businesses in the gig economy are urging the committee to avoid repeating these mistakes and to craft survey questions that capture the full spectrum of work arrangements, including secondary and tertiary jobs.

Legal battles over the classification of gig workers continue, with the Coalition for Workforce Innovation advocating for stakeholder involvement in the data collection process. The government’s admission of uncertainty regarding the size of the gig workforce has fueled opposition to efforts to regulate independent contractor arrangements.

In conclusion, the upcoming survey data from the BLS holds promise for providing a clearer understanding of the gig economy and its impact on the workforce. By addressing past failures and implementing improved survey methods, the committee aims to produce accurate and comprehensive data that will inform policy decisions and support the rights of gig workers.