gig worker

Definition

An independent contractor or freelancer working on temporary, flexible arrangements rather than traditional employment. They enjoy freedom and flexibility but forfeit benefits, protections, and financial security—the great trade-off of the 21st century.

Example Usage

We replaced our entire customer service team with gig workers on three-month contracts to avoid paying health insurance.

Origin

Jazz musician terminology from the 1920s ('gig' meant a single performance), revived in the 2010s app-based economy

Fun Fact

By 2027, gig workers are projected to outnumber traditional employees in the U.S., marking the biggest shift in employment structure since industrialization, though 'shift' is a generous word for 'erosion of worker protections.'

Source: Gig economy terminology

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