A micro job is a small paid freelance task selected from a centralized platform.[1] The practice of working micro jobs is called microemployment, and people doing micro jobs are called microemployees.[citation needed] These jobs can be online or in-person: for example, acting as a virtual assistant, handyman, or nanny; or doing website design, dog boarding, or errands.[1] Personal income varies depending on the jobs taken and the fee charged by the platform offering the jobs.[2]
The concept is related to that of the gig economy.[3] The micro-job industry is part of a larger movement of companies facilitating the outsourcing of products: for example AirBNB, which lets users independently rent out houses.[4] Microemployment sites are growing rapidly as of 2013[needs update] and form a new type on-demand income for workers.[4] These platforms can sometimes earn billions of dollars.[5]
Differences from traditional jobs
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Most micro jobs do not pay benefits.[6] Workers also cannot rely on a steady paycheck.[1]
In law
editMicroemployees are legally considered independent contractors and are legally responsible for their actions.[clarification needed] The law is murky, however, on the relationship between microemployees and marketplaces where workers find jobs. Lawsuits are expected to test this connection. In January 2014 the Kuang-Liu family, of San Francisco, CA, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Uber and driver Syed Muzzafar. The accident, which caused the death of their 6-year-old daughter and injured two other family members, was allegedly caused while Muzzafar was fulfilling a driving job from Uber.[7]
Individual auto insurance policies do not cover commercial activities, which may result in denials of claims if drivers are working for hire. To prevent legal complications, some ride service providers are requiring their drivers to purchase commercial insurance. Legislation for microemployment work issues remains unclear and unresolved.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Can't Get a Job? Get a Microjob!". Forbes. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ Gustke, Constance (2012-11-10). "5 Real Ways to Make Money Online From Home - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ "How 'microjobs' help you ditch your boss". Yahoo Finance. 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
- ^ a b "Micro Jobs Sites Seeing Rapid Growth - CNN iReport". Chicago, Illinois: Ireport.cnn.com. 2013-05-24. Archived from the original on 2014-04-12. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ Seetharaman, Deepa. "Exclusive: Amazon.com plans local services marketplace this year - sources". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ L-Magin, G. "Making Money Online;Advantages and Disadvantages sources". Shopwriter. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
- ^ "Ride service Uber faces new lawsuit after fatal San Francisco crash". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2022-01-06.