Beyond Flexibility: Navigating the Gig Economy's Workplace Challenges

The gig economy offers flexibility but often leaves workers vulnerable to workplace injuries and financial strain. Many gig roles, such as rideshare driving, food delivery, and manual labor, carry high injury risks, including car accidents, repetitive strain injuries, and illnesses caused by physical exhaustion or exposure to the elements. Yet, protections like workers' compensation and paid leave are scarce.

In a recent survey of 1,000 American gig workers, we found that most must work through injuries and illnesses. Many also pay out-of-pocket for care, while nearly half worry about future financial and health risks. These findings highlight the urgent need for better policies and support systems in the gig economy.

Key takeaways

• 15% of gig workers have been injured or become ill as a result of their gig work.

• Nearly 90% have worked through an injury or illness.

• Over 80% received zero compensation or insurance benefits for their injuries.

• 2 in 5 have experienced burnout due to working through illness or injury.

• 87% worry about a future injury leaving them without income or support.

• 1 in 2 are considering full-time employment at a single company to reduce risks associated with gig work.

Injury rates and recovery costs

This section reveals the frequency and impact of workplace injuries among gig workers and how they cope with limited protections.

About 15% of gig workers reported experiencing an illness or injury at work, with millennials representing the highest percentage (16%).

Despite these risks, 3 in 4 injured or ill gig workers felt compelled to return to work before they were ready, driven by financial pressures and no paid-time-off benefits.

More than 80% of injured workers received no compensation or insurance benefits to support their recovery. Over half of Gen Z (59%) and Gen X (56%) workers paid out-of-pocket to manage their injuries, while nearly half of millennials (48%) had to dip into their savings.

 Some gig workers found the burden too great: 2% of workers overall had to quit their gig roles due to illness or injury. Among these, Gen X workers were the most affected, making up 10% of those who quit.

Working through injuries without support

For many gig workers, sustaining an injury or illness doesn't mean stopping work. Here's how they navigate the challenges of working through health issues and their experiences with seeking support.

Nearly 90% of gig workers have continued working while injured or ill, with Gen X workers (93%) being the most likely to push through health setbacks, and Gen Z (84%) the least likely.

About 26% of gig workers felt pressured to keep working through their injury, with many employers showing little support. Almost half (47%) felt like their employers completely ignored their injury.

The process proved difficult for those needing additional support.  More than 3 in 4 workers did not apply for workers' compensation, and of those who did, 30% faced denials — primarily due to a lack of supporting evidence (17%). Gen Z workers were the most likely to apply for workers' comp (42%), with 35% of those applicants receiving benefits. In contrast, Gen X workers were the least likely to apply (only 7%), and among them, only 7% of applicants received compensation.

More than 1 in 3 gig workers (34%) didn't apply for workers' comp because they didn't know how, and 16% said the process was too complicated. More than half (51%) also thought their illness or injury wouldn't qualify for support.

Burnout, risks, and the call for change

As gig workers face physical and financial risks on the job, many also report feeling the strain emotionally. Burnout and job insecurity are becoming common concerns, with workers considering alternatives for more stability.

About 2 in 5 gig workers said they experienced burnout from working through illness or injury, with nearly 50% of Gen Z reporting this challenge. Additionally, 87% of gig workers were worried about sustaining an injury that could leave them without income in the future — a fear that's most common for Gen X and Gen Z workers (88% each).

For many, these risks are leading to a desire for greater stability: 1 in 2 gig workers said they're considering traditional full-time employment to reduce exposure to these hazards, including 3 in 5 Gen Z workers.

In light of these concerns, nearly 80% of all gig workers said they would support forming a union or collective to advocate for better safety nets. Among Gen Z, this sentiment was even stronger, with 85% open to joining efforts to demand better protections.

Rethinking protections for gig workers

For many gig workers, flexibility comes with high costs: managing injuries or illnesses without compensation, experiencing burnout, and receiving limited support from employers. Due to these risks, half are considering switching to more traditional jobs, and a majority support unionization for better protections.

Greater education about workers' compensation could make a significant difference, as 34% of workers admitted they didn't know how it works or when it's available. Some of the injured workers we polled may have been eligible for assistance but didn't know where to turn. Addressing these issues could transform the gig economy into a more sustainable and safer workplace.

Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 American gig workers to explore their experiences with workplace injuries and illnesses, missed workdays, and financial hardships. The average age of respondents was 41; 49% were women, 49% were men, and 2% were non-binary. Generationally, 5% were Baby Boomers, 22% were Gen X, 54% were Millennials, and 19% were Gen Z.

About Atticus

Atticus is a public interest law firm that helps Americans in a crisis secure aid from the government. Through a dedicated team of lawyers and client advocates, we specialize in helping individuals claim their rightful benefits in challenging times.

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