Gig Economy Making Strides for Women
Women are increasingly turning to the gig economy to make a living
Women have historically faced career-altering events that often do not impact men equally. Having a baby in a “traditional” job can have a significant impact on career trajectories, morale and ability to find a sustainable work/life balance. Prenatal appointments, maternity leave, nursing, and finding childcare can further complicate employment in a full-time position. Other more glaring issues such as the gender pay gap have also affected women unequally.
However, with the recent rise of the gig economy, there are now countless opportunities for women to earn income and not have to sacrifice the time and flexibility that a traditional full-time role might require them to give up.
Why the rise of the gig economy is good for women
In a recent survey of 2,000 women working in the gig economy, the three most popular benefits of these roles included flexible hours, control over earning potential, and more personal time.
These results ring true here at SimplrFlex, according to two of our Experts:
As a mother of 3, SimplrFlex has provided so many benefits for my family and me. The biggest benefit is that I’m able to still put my family first while also helping to provide for them. Being able to always be here for my children and not have to worry about being fired if I miss work due to a sick child or doctor’s appointment is huge! I’m able to work as much or as little as I choose, but with this, I’m also not leaving all of the financial weight on my husband. We are able to work together as a team to provide for our children. With SimplrFlex, I’ve been able to gain back my financial independence. I’m a work-from-home mom, and there’s no other company I’d rather be a part of!
– Krystal, SimplrFlex Expert
Choosing my own schedule has allowed me to be there for my family and still contribute to our finances. It’s also great to choose the workload you take on. Our family is in a season of saving money right now, so I can choose to work and earn more during this time.
– Amanda, SimplrFlex Expert
Bridging the Pay Gap
In addition to providing flexibility, the gig economy is also making progress in minimizing the gender pay gap. According to an article from Fisher Phillips, recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the average gender pay gap for full-time workers in the United States is about a 20% difference between men and women.
The article from Fisher Phillips also includes information regarding pay from Fiverr, a popular gig-site for independent workers. Their data indicates the gap between what men and women earn on their platform is much smaller at around 0.4%.
While Fiverr may not be representative of the entire industry, other sources such as the 2018 APAC workforce insights report show more parity in the gig economy as opposed to traditional full-time jobs.
What does the future hold?
Approximately 36% of the U.S. population currently freelances at least part-time, and many analysts expect that number to grow dramatically. According to an article from Entrepeneur.com, 80% of the total workforce could be working in the gig economy by 2030.
The gig economy labor market is undergoing unprecedented growth, and as a result, it is one of the most innovative professional spaces in our country. This innovation allows for reforming this corner of the labor industry from the ground up, interweaving modern values from the very beginning, such as equal pay, flexible hours, and more personal time for women in the workforce.
