Uber ruling, and the big picture.

Given the recent Uber ruling in the UK, I’d like to share my perspective on what the gig economy is and why it’s so important, and I hope you’ll share this post with others so that this economy can continue to thrive. Although the gig economy is undoubtably beneficial for business, it can be life altering for individuals wanting to advance. This new economy has brought MILLIONS of people from lower middle class to middle class in just a couple of years. I know from experience as there was a time long ago where I worked regularly off Craigslist on the side, making extra money to pay off debt, and then invest. Although it worked for me then, times have changed, and there are safer and more streamlined ways now. However, with the recent Uber ruling in the UK, my fear is that unnecessary scrutiny will come to this sector, which could negatively impact the many hard-working people who count on, and benefit from, the gig economy.

Prior to the gig economy, your average person in the United States worked 40 hours or more per week at one employer and really had very few if any options to earn a supplemental income. In addition, someone who needed flexibility with their work schedule, whether a stay-at-home father or mother, a student, someone with special needs or just an every-day person, didn’t fit into that “9-5” work-week. At last, with the gig economy, a person can work a couple of hours or even a shift before or after their primary job (potentially adding hundreds of dollars, or more, to their weekly earnings) or have the flexibility to earn an income as their schedule, and life, permits. This supplemental and flexible earning opportunity has the potential to change a person’s life as it did mine years ago, giving them freedom, confidence, and control of their earnings, allowing them an opportunity to move forward and upward.

While I think worker’s rights should always be top of mind, the news coverage of the UK Uber ruling is overshadowing the bigger picture. Imagine a world where the scenarios I’ve mentioned no longer exist, and people lose this opportunity for flexible, supplemental income and economic advancement? As always, if too many government regulations are placed upon something that’s benefited millions, it’s not the corporations that’ll suffer, it’s the hard-working people that ARE the economy. 

So here's to all the companies, old and new, that are making big waves in the gig economy providing options that previously didn't exist. @Uber @lyft @GigKloud @TaskRabbit @AirBnB