The Shift Project
What is it measuring?
The survey aimed to capture a national, comprehensive picture of gig work, asking about demographics, job characteristics, and economic security. By surveying both gig workers and W-2 service sector workers, the study yields comparative analyses of wages and insecurity across these groups.
What does it tell us?
Approximately 1 in 7 gig workers earned less than the federal hourly minimum wage in 2020. 62 percent of gig workers reported losing earnings due to technical issues with clocking in or out, while just 19 percent of W-2 service sector workers reported the same. 30 percent of gig workers and 15 percent of W-2 workers reported using the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase food.
How is it collected?
Data is collected by the Shift Project over a 10-week period twice a year. Survey respondents self-reported into the survey via Facebook and Instagram advertisements. For this report, data specifically targeting gig workers was collected in May 2020. This survey iteration yielded a sample of 288 gig workers and 4,201 W-2 service-sector workers.
Who collects it?
The Shift Project, a joint project between the Harvard Kennedy School and UCSF, surveys retail and food service workers using Instagram and Facebook.
Considerations
This survey data compares job characteristics between gig workers and W-2 service sector workers. Gig workers were defined as those working for companies such as Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or Instacart. W-2 service sector workers include those working at one of 58 large retail and food service companies, including Target, Walmart, McDonald's, and Starbucks.
How to access this data?
Privately held by the Shift Project
Reports
National survey of gig workers paints a picture of poor working conditions, low pay; 2022; ; Economic Policy Institute;