The Gig Economy is the Future: What to Do About it

Nowadays, you can have almost anything at your fingertips instantaneously.

Just think about it. 

Need a ride to the airport? Order an Uber. Want food delivered to your doorstep? Pull up DoorDash. Need to restock on groceries? Place an Instacart order. 

The instant gratification we now experience with otherwise menial tasks is thanks in large part to the gig economy. 

The gig economy is a labor market that relies heavily on temporary and part-time positions, which are filled by independent contractors and freelancers. Now, our society is increasingly being powered by gig workers. Once, we saw mostly full-time employees who worked for a single business. 

Why? 

The events of recent years combined with macroeconomic factors. These include inflation and “The Great Resignation,” which have caused people to seek autonomy over when, where, and how they work. 

A 2022 McKinsey survey of workers who recently left their full-time jobs found that 44% of respondents had little to no interest in returning to a traditional job in the following six months. Nearly a quarter of respondents took on non-traditional work, including temporary, part-time, or gig economy jobs.

So, what is your workforce seeking, and why are they finding it on a gig platform? 

Because the gig economy is the future, let’s look at why.

Key Takeaways

1. The gig economy offers flexibility and autonomy that traditional jobs often can’t match, which makes it increasingly attractive to workers across all industries.
2. Businesses can tap into a dynamic, on-demand workforce to fill roles faster, reduce costs, and adapt to changing labor needs.
3. Platforms like shiftNOW empower both workers and companies by simplifying the process of finding, managing, and engaging temporary talent.

The Gig Economy is the Future: The Benefits

Flexible Schedules

Remote work became the new normal for the 9 to 5 workforce. And while you can’t wait tables virtually, hospitality workers increasingly sought out the option to work when and where they want.

The hospitality industry’s labor shortage has caused employees to become overworked and burned out. As a result, the sector has consistently seen the highest unemployment rate (5.4%) across industries since mid-2021. Gig economy work enables workers to set their own hours. They can also pick up opportunities when it’s convenient for them, and decide when they get a day off.

This level of flexibility is especially appealing to parents, students, and individuals juggling multiple responsibilities. 

Someone might need to: 

• Work around a class schedule 
• Take time off for family obligations
• Work around another job

Shift work makes it possible without the pressure of asking a boss for permission. In many cases, workers can accept shifts the same day, making it easier to respond to last-minute needs or unexpected changes.

And the best part? It can all be done through easy-to-use mobile apps.

Control Over Pay Schedule and Income

The federal minimum wage has stayed at $7.25 since 2009. While the minimum wage hasn’t increased in nearly 15 years, the cost of living certainly has. 

More and more people from all backgrounds, industries, and levels of experience are leveraging gig economy platforms. They can work full time or part time to earn money so they can keep up with the rising costs of groceries, utilities, and other everyday expenses.

Users can:

• Browse available opportunities
• Review the offered rate
• Decide whether it’s work they want to take on 

This level of transparency enables gig economy workers to have control over when and how much they get paid.

But perhaps the greatest perk? Control over when this money hits their account.

There are even a number of gig apps that pay the same day by offering “Instant Payout” to their users. With Instant Payout, gig workers can receive the money earned on the job in their bank account immediately for a nominal fee.

New Opportunities

It’s not uncommon to encounter a gig worker that utilizes multiple gig economy platforms.

For some, that might look like picking up bartending shifts during the week through shiftNOW. It could also look like driving Lyft on the weekend or dog-sitting through Rover whenever their schedule allows.

Gig economy platforms enable users to test their hand at a multitude of opportunities and determine which type of work they like best. Not to mention, it’s a great way to showcase your skills and find temporary work that can turn into full-time or recurring employment.

This variety not only keeps work interesting, but also helps build a diverse resume. Shift workers can develop transferable skills in customer service, time management, and problem-solving—all while expanding their network across multiple industries. 

For individuals exploring new career paths or re-entering the workforce, gig work offers a low-risk way to gain experience and build confidence. Whether you're pivoting careers or supplementing income, the gig economy opens doors that were previously harder to access in traditional employment models.

Gig Economy Examples That Are Here to Stay

Uber: Uber is perhaps the one of the most prominent gig economy platforms. It transformed the transportation industry and how we get from point A to point B. Uber empowers both riders and drivers to move and earn safely in a way that’s sustainable for the planet. 

DoorDash: DoorDash, a food delivery app, makes ordering from your favorite restaurants or convenience stores easy and accessible. It connects the local economy, allowing consumers to get their goods, local merchants to get business, and Dashers to get paid.

Instacart: Instacart is on a mission to create a world where everyone has access to the food they love. They’ve changed the way we access groceries by connecting customers with personal shoppers who will deliver groceries from various retailers to your doorstep.

Lyft: Like Uber, Lyft is shaking up the transportation industry. As their slogan states, they offer “a ride whenever you need one”. They’re connecting riders to drivers in their area, making it that much easier to get to the airport, get home after a night out, or make it to work.

TaskRabbit: TaskRabbit is revolutionizing everyday work. Their same-day service platform is on a mission to instantly connect you with skilled Taskers to help with odd-jobs and errands, so you can be more productive. 

Rover: Rover’s mission is to make it easier for people to have pet love in their lives. They remove common pet care obstacles. This ensures dogs and cats nationwide are happy and well cared for, even when their human is away, and empower pet lovers to live fulfilling lives.

How Businesses & Temporary Workers Can Better Leverage the Gig Economy  

The gig economy is the future. 

Why?

The way we live our everyday lives has changed drastically and as a result, so has the way we get work done. Once surrounded by skepticism, the gig economy is now being widely accepted as the new normal. And it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

At shiftNOW, we're embracing this new normal as we strongly believe that the way people work is changing. We’re providing a flexible solution for people who want to test the waters in something new—either temporarily or full-time—while still being able to support their financial and personal needs.

For businesses, embracing gig platforms means access to a motivated, diverse talent pool without the long-term commitments and overhead of traditional hiring. Whether you need to fill last-minute shifts, manage seasonal demand, or scale quickly for an event, tapping into gig workers can provide the agility and cost-efficiency modern operations require. 

Likewise, temporary workers benefit from having a centralized, reliable platform. There, they can find vetted opportunities, build professional experience, and earn income on their own terms. It’s a win-win for both sides of the labor market.

Request a demo. See the shiftNOW platform in action and understand all of the benefits it has to offer your business.

FAQs on the Gig Economy Becoming the Future

1. What types of jobs are considered part of the gig economy?

The gig economy includes a wide variety of roles, such as rideshare drivers, food delivery couriers, freelance designers, pet sitters, personal shoppers, event staff, and more. Essentially, any short-term, task-based job performed by an independent contractor can be considered gig work.

2. Is gig work a sustainable long-term career option?

For many people, yes. While some use gig platforms for supplemental income, others rely on them as their primary source of income. With strategic planning, diversified income streams, and an understanding of expenses like taxes and benefits, gig work can be sustainable long term.

3. How do businesses benefit from hiring gig workers?

Businesses can reduce overhead costs, scale their workforce quickly, and fill shifts on short notice. Hiring gig workers through platforms like shiftNOW also allows companies to test talent before committing to full-time roles.

4. Are there any downsides to working in the gig economy?

Gig workers often don’t receive traditional benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or job security. Additionally, income can be inconsistent. However, for many, the flexibility and autonomy outweigh the risks.

Request a Demo

See the shiftNOW platform in action and understand all of the benefits it has to offer your business.