The relationship between employer and employee can be a tough one, often defined by the culture within the workplace.
Since the internet up-ended traditional thoughts and values, a period of transition was enabled and a new class of worker emerged. These were to be known as gig-workers – content to work on contract at ultra-affordable rates, often paid without taxes withheld.
Take the taxi business for example, where reams of regulation and rules were cast to the wind when players like Lyft and Uber came on the scene. An app on a phone allowed users to connect with the service and order up a ride from pretty much anywhere. It was quite a convenient shift for consumers that could not easily have happened had the taxi business not been stuck in its old ways.
Similarly, Door Dash and Uber Eats partner up with restaurants and fast food joints to deliver food to customers who can’t leave work or the house to pick up food. A little morsel is paid to the driver – to cover their time, wear and tear on a vehicle and so on. Often a restaurant loses some commission on the order too.
The point with these gig jobs, is rarely does the compensation favour workers. Some happy for independence overlook the absence of a meaningful wage, lack of benefits, and a plan to cover off expenses for wearing out a vehicle. More insidious to these points is the longer-term interest of the worker, whether that be having enough income to raise a family, qualify for bank financing or ultimately retire.
As various cases related to gig work wind their way through the courts and the prospects of such employment is reviewed, hopefully workplaces and employees come to a better understanding.
Employment is a commitment neither party should take lightly.
Clock is ticking
For most residents, ballots have already appeared in mailboxes.
Depending on voting method there is no better time than now to fill out your ballot and return it. This will help in ensuring ballots are returned in good time.
Candidates have gone to great lengths to meet voters, either door to door, through various forms of advertising and by attending candidate events. Voters need to complete that circle of local democracy by marking and returning their ballots. Less than two weeks remain – get it done.
