With the end of the year approaching, most are starting to think about holiday plans and if 2022 will finally be the year things start to feel normal again. But here at indi® our sights are set on what the new year means for gig workers. We’ve put together our top 3 predictions for the gig economy in 2022.
1. Increased use of mobile apps for recruiting and retaining talent
Gig platforms already use mobile apps for posting jobs and finding workers for gigs, but in 2022, you can expect to see these platforms using apps to retain their talent for recurring jobs.
According to a recent study, 75% of gig workers say they would be more loyal to a gig job that offers same day pay over one that doesn’t.1 “Adopting a mobile-first instant pay and reward structure, based on immediacy and ease of use, is clearly a competitive advantage to attract and retain the best and brightest,” the study said.
Instant payment gives workers the feeling of instant gratification, so they’re more likely to log additional hours knowing they’ll see the fruits of their labor at the end of their shift. For businesses, instant payment reduces the cost and complexity of paying their workforce. It’s a win-win for both parties.
2. Significant growth
During 2020 and the onslaught of COVID-19, we relied on on-demand workers to deliver our groceries, meals, essential items, and packages. This translated to significant growth in the gig economy, and it’s not slowing down.
In 2020 alone, the gig economy experienced 33% growth with 2 million workers entering the gig economy for the first time. It’s estimated that by 2027, about half of the U.S. population will have engaged in gig work, as compared to 35% today.2
According to a report from Mastercard, gig-economy transactions are projected to grow to $455 billion by 2023, or 17% per year.3 It’s safe to say that on-demand transactions are here to stay and will become even more prevalent in our day-to-day lives.
3. Earning worker loyalty through non-traditional benefits
One of the main drawbacks of gig work is that it doesn’t come with traditional benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off. Gig employers know that to earn worker loyalty they need to offer something to make them stand out among the rest.
Jobble, one of the largest gig marketplaces for independent workers, offers exclusive perks for their Jobblers. These perks include free online classes to build skill sets, links to affordable insurance options, exclusive savings on mobile plans, and the indi for Jobblers banking solution for gig workers. Gig workers have unique needs, and the platforms rising to the challenge to meet these will have the greatest advantage.
indi is ready to help you grow your gig workforce in 2022 with our instant payment solution. Our financial technology lets you pay workers instantly while providing new revenue streams for your business.4
Workers can easily apply for an account with no credit check and no application or overdraft fees.5 They’ll get a debit card and access to our mobile banking app with tools to help them save for taxes, reduce financial stress, and prepare for a healthy financial future.
Ready to learn more? Get in touch with us today.
1. businesswire.com/news/home/20191112005346/en/US-Gig-Workers-Earn-1.2T-And-Are-Most-Loyal-to-Contractors-Offering-Mobile-Apps-with-Same-Day-Pay-and-Prepaid-Rewards
2. statista.com/statistics/921593/gig-economy-number-of-freelancers-us
3. newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Gig-Economy-White-Paper-May-2019.pdf
4. Payments made via indi’s instant payment platform to an indi debit card are received immediately upon transfer. Payments to non-indi accounts may take up to 30 minutes and may be subject to third-party fees.
5. indi is a prepaid account. Your funds will be held at PNC Bank, National Association and are eligible for FDIC insurance, subject to FDIC insurance coverage limits.
Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.