Is the gig economy freedom or insecurity?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Have you ever done gig work, such as delivery or driving?
2. Would you like to be your own boss?
3. Is a steady job more important than flexibility?
4. How do you feel about delivery apps?
5. Do you think gig workers are treated fairly?
6. Which job would you never do through an app?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about gig work.

Choose the word that fits.

1. A person who sells services to different clients, without one permanent employer, is a .
2. Many workers value the of choosing when they work.
3. Irregular income creates a constant sense of .
4. Drivers find their customers through an online .
5. Sick pay and paid holidays are examples of employee .
6. Someone who works for themselves, not for a company, is .
7. Courts have had to decide how to drivers: as employees or as independent workers.
8. Work that is uncertain and poorly protected is called .

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. a freelancer sells services to different
   clientsseasonscountries
2. flexibility = the ability to choose when and how you
   travel onlysleepwork
3. insecurity = a state of not being
   safe or certaintall or shortrich or famous
4. benefits are extra things employees
   avoidreceiveforget
5. precarious = uncertain and not
   safenewloud
6. to classify = to put something into a
   bankhospitalcategory

Use these phrases to explain causes and consequences.

• This has led to...Це призвело до...This has led to greater flexibility for many workers.
• As a result of...,Внаслідок...,As a result of low pay, many drivers work long hours.
• Owing to the lack of...,Через відсутність...,Owing to the lack of benefits, workers feel insecure.
• Consequently,...Отже,...Consequently, many workers have two jobs.
• ..., thereby creating......, створюючи таким чином...The app grew fast, thereby creating thousands of jobs.
• The ruling gave rise to...Це рішення дало початок...The ruling gave rise to new debates.
• On the one hand,... on the other hand,...З одного боку,... з іншого боку,...On the one hand it offers freedom; on the other hand it offers little security.
• What is at issue is...Питання в тому, що...What is at issue is who bears the risk.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. The text says that gig workers always earn more than the minimum wage.
   TrueFalse
2. In 2021 the UK Supreme Court ruled on the status of Uber drivers.
   TrueFalse
3. The text says that all courts have reached the same conclusion.
   TrueFalse
4. Flexibility is mentioned as an advantage of gig work.
   TrueFalse
5. The text suggests that the question is who bears the risk.
   TrueFalse

1. Who should bear the risk, the worker or the platform?
2. Is flexibility worth less security?
3. Should gig workers be treated as employees?
4. What would a fair system look like?

Common mistakes: lead to / result in / give rise to (not lead in), due to / owing to / because of + noun, consequently, with a comma, and thereby + -ing. ✗ The change lead in insecurity → led to. ✗ due of → due to. ✗ resulted to → resulted in. ✗ Consequence, fewer applied → Consequently, fewer applied. ✗ thereby create → thereby creating.

1. The change
   led inled to
   greater insecurity.
2. Owing toOwing
   the lack of rights, many drivers struggle.
3. The platform grew rapidly,
   thereby createthereby creating
   thousands of jobs.
4. The strike was
   due ofdue to
   low pay.
5. Low pay
   resulted inresulted to
   protests.
6. Prices rose
   as a result ofas result of
   demand.
7. Consequently,Consequence,
   fewer people applied.
8. The ruling
   gave risegave rise to
   new debates.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. The change lead in more insecurity. →
2. The strike was due of low pay. →
3. Low pay resulted to protests. →
4. Consequence, fewer people applied. →
5. The platform grew, thereby create jobs. →
6. The ruling gave rise new debates. →

Answer in detail. Use cause and effect and a formal register.

1. What do you think has led to the growth of gig work?
2. What are the main results of insecure work?
3. Owing to the pandemic, many people began to order food online. What other changes did it cause?
4. What might result from stricter rules for platforms?
5. Can you think of a job that has changed due to technology?
6. What would you do to make gig work fairer?

Three people discuss gig work. Compare them. Who values flexibility most? Who worries most about security? Whose view is closest to yours?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: describe gig work and who does it.
3. Part 2: explain its causes and effects (use lead to, result in, owing to and thereby + -ing at least once each).
4. Part 3: say whether it is freedom or insecurity.

1. Have you ever used a delivery or ride app?
2. Would you work for an app?
3. Do you value flexibility more than security?
4. Do you have a second source of income?
5. Would you like to work for yourself?
6. How do you feel about tipping?
7. What benefits matter most to you in a job?
8. Do you think gig work is a good first job?

1. Who do you know who works through an app?
2. Who in your family is self-employed?
3. Who should protect gig workers?
4. Who benefits most from the gig economy?
5. Who in your life has precarious work?
6. Who would you trust as an employer?

1. Is gig work a good idea for society?
2. Should apps pay sick leave?
3. Is flexibility a real choice for most workers?
4. Will gig work replace regular jobs?
5. Should there be a minimum wage for app workers?