Becoming a Gig Worker: Exploring Inbound Career Trajectories in the UK Gig Economy

Abstract
Gig work is frequently positioned as an alternative to formal employment by enabling access to flexible and low-barrier earnings. However, how gig work fits into the overall careers of workers is not well understood. In response, this article presents an exploratory life course study, utilizing social sequence analysis of UK gig workers, to examine how the type of gig work and workers’ career histories are connected. As a result, the study identifies six distinct career trajectories leading up to participation in the gig economy. These findings provide suggestive evidence that the timing of when gig work is taken up during a worker’s life course has an effect on what kind of gig work is performed. Further, this study provides updated metrics about the demographics and career backgrounds of UK gig workers. Hence, this article contributes to a more holistic and longitudinal analysis of gig work seen within the context of a worker’s career.

This is a lunch seminar; please register your attendance by accepting/declining your emailed invite by Friday, November 17, at 10 AM the latest (for catering). For information contact Damla Diriker (d.diriker@vu.nl)