Uber Launches New App For ‘Gig Economy’

October 21, 2019

Ride-share company Uber have this week announced that they plan to launch a brand new app that targets employees in the gig economy sectors looking for their next job.

Uber Works will create a platform for workers in ‘gig’ sectors, including cleaners, bartenders and waiters, and allow them to apply for jobs and compare pay rates at different companies.

Chicago Trial

Currently, the app will only be available in the American city of Chicago as a trial run for the company, but is hoping to join the increasing market of apps dedicated to gig economy workers, including Shiftgig and Workpop.

With an already established brand behind the app, many are hoping that this could establish Uber Works as a key player and potential leader in this growing sector of the tech industry.

Transparent Job Market

In an announcement about the app, Uber highlighted how millions of Americans are working job-to-job. Their intention with the app is to make the process of applying for these positions easier and more transparent.

Users will be able to share information on pay, working conditions, location and can track when their breaks are and how many hours they’ve been working.

Just like their ride-share app, Uber has stated it will thoroughly research and vet any of the employers who are registered on the site, all of whom must be selected and qualified through the company before appearing to users.

Employee Costs

However, the app has arrived as Uber once again finds themselves in hot water over their treatment of employees.

Legislation in the United States has recently been tightened about defining gig economy workers as ‘employees’ at tech companies like Uber, who have been ordered to give all their gig workers the same rights and benefits as their full-time employees.

This is expected to raise costs significantly.

Across the world, courts have been battling with the increasing growth of ‘casual hiring’ amongst working people and how companies should define these employees.

Uber has recently been taken to court by drivers who argued that they should be afforded the same rights and benefits as full-time employees, including holiday pay, sick leave and health insurance.