Why The Gig Economy Is A Scam | James Bloodworth | TEDxManchester

Do the entrepreneurial myths surrounding the so-called gig economy stack up? Journalist and author James Bloodworth doesn’t think so. In his talk he relays some of his own experiences working undercover in the gig economy and debunks some of the glamour surrounding the increasingly popular idea of ‘being your own boss’.”

Follow James on @J_Bloodworth James Bloodworth is a freelance writer and the author of the critically acclaimed book Hired: Six Months Undercover in Low-Wage Britain, which was recognised by The Times as its Current Affairs Book of the Year for 2018. Guardian columnist Nick Cohen reviewed the book as “vital reading for all”.

[robstewart]

"Come and get a JOB with US and be your OWN boss" = oxymoron. It's a scam alright.

[babydoll]

Man I wish he would have mention the pay getting lower and lower for drivers buy they keep charging customers more and more.

[billiamc]

I would NEVER EVER work for Amazon, Uber, Lyft, or any other BS corporation

[huiwitheld]

What an eye opener! I used to sell on Amazon and knew that they don't care about their sellers. Now I realise that they don't even care about their own Associates either! I hope this video is shared or twitted as much as possible so that people understand the level of exploitations this giant selling machine imposes on our people.

[MEXANIKKA]

Giving fancy names to Delivery workers like - Delivery Executive, Rapido Captains, Delivery Partners is an gimmick.

[chrisa]

Gig workers are paying companies to work. The world has officially changed.

[donnaallgaier-lamberti]

I was self-employed all of my career. I did this because I had two young sons to raise and had health issues that prohibited me from working full time for a company outside of my home. What i found was that I carried most of the costs myself, without a continuous income, health insurance or a safety net of any kind. I used my vehicle, paid for my own gas, oil changes, maintenance and so on. After 20 plus years of doing this Gig economy I have come to the conclusion that it is for the benefit of the business owner....not the worker.

[mirzaqureshi]

gig works are blooming right under our noses... we failed to notice it.

[CS-qcnp]

It’s ironic how they say you’re your own boss, but they can literally 🔥 you.

[vichu]

Greed is the problem, we are sold back our freedom, we were born free, only to be enslaved by society, I am sure tribes, life more freely than us in the modern world. Simply because we consume so much and need all this comfort. Why are we complicating life. Pls consume less, let's leave a small footprint on the planet.

[linuxd]

Doordash is a good gig job.

I can decline orders all day and go home whenever I want

[laupeter]

mate he is correct. How is a life of volatile income, lower savings rate, no benefits better for someone who relies on gig economy jobs to raise a family?

[meeyan]

Gig work culture could be the result of how many people are feeling not right with most work environment. Why do we choose the gig work over some other jobs that gives you sick pay, union benefit and probably chance of getting connected to the other people?
Being work horse all the time while you can barely save finances with no time for yourself... I wonder what choice sounds most legit.

[katherinerevels]

This is very interesting - thank you for the insider information! Just another reason to despise Amazon. I never realised the extent of the poor conditions for the gig economy workers! You've definitely sparked an interest and I will look into this further.

[andreahoffman]

Biggest level of exploitation - yes. Most worst are designer's competitions. You work mostly for free. You only get paid when you win the competition. Logo for 100 USD and less! - huge damage to graphic design industry. Professional work has not value anymore. It is hard to explain to customers that logo is more than nice picture.

[charel]

Ive had similar work conditions but never worked for amazon, what a world we have created. Greed and consumerism are rampantly breeding misantrophy.

[prima]

I, personally, have quit buying from Amazon, and all companies who treat their workers poorly because I realized that I, myself, am a worker. However, I have a friend who absolutely must buy from Amazon because.... because.

[suncity_cucuy]

Entering a fulfillment center is exactly like walking onto a plantation. Amazon flex is gig economy not the warehouse. If you need benefits freelancing is not for you

[zvipatent]

I am a sole practitioner patent attorney in my own gig economy. I can take vacation and sick days whenever I want, but for no pay. I do not have to worry about demerit points tho, or being fired. I have read very bad things about Amazon & Uber. One thought I have is that people would get paid more if fewer people needed to do those unpleasant jobs. In some fields, the company worries about retainment, not typranny. I think competition is the answer.

[JesusChrist]

what a great video! Alot of these Ted talks tend to be a bunch of fluff, but i like this one