Dive Brief:
- Forty-five million Americans, or 22% of adults, say they have worked or offered services in the on-demand economy, while 86.5 million, or 42% of adults, have used at least one on-demand economy service, according to a national survey.
- The new survey, developed jointly by Burson-Marsteller, The Aspen Institute's Future of Work Initiative, and TIME, also found that 51% of those who offer services in the on-demand economy say their financial situation has improved over the past year, compared to 34% of the general population.
- Also 72% of on-demand workers say they should be given more benefits as part of their job, and 68% say industry workers lack the financial safety net that other workers have.
Dive Insight:
In addition to believing they deserve benefits, 62% of on-demand workers say employers have an obligation to provide workplace education and training, and 62% also believe that on-demand employers should reimburse their workers for some job-related expenses.
Interestingly, while most on-demand workers think the industry should do more for them, 49% oppose government regulations requiring the industry to provide the same benefits as full-time workers if it comes at the expense of job security, while 40% favor government regulation.
"Millions of Americans are turning to the on-demand economy for greater flexibility and income, but still worry about their financial security," said Senator Mark Warner, honorary co-chair of the Aspen Institute's Future of Work Initiative. The survey seems to correlate with another recent survey by Crowded.com, which says that most on-demand workers prefer their independent status.
