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gig economy

/ɡɪɡ ɪˈkɑnəmi/
IPA guide

Other forms: gig economies

The gig economy is a part of the labor market that's based on workers who do short-term, freelance jobs, rather than being employed full-time. Ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft are part of the gig economy.

While the gig economy gives workers more flexibility, allowing them to schedule jobs around other events and responsibilities, there are many disadvantages too. This kind of labor doesn't provide workplace protections or benefits like health insurance, sick time, or overtime pay — it simply pays an hourly wage. Employers are generally glad to be part of the gig economy because their costs are much lower. The phrase comes from gig, or "job," which was originally jazz lingo.

Definitions of gig economy
  1. noun
    a labor market that relies on temporary or freelance workers as well as short-term contracts, instead of full-time employment
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