Precarious Employment, Gig Work, and Gender-based Violence in Canada

Precarious Employment, Gig Work and Gender-based Violence in Canada: A Knowledge Synthesis and Recommendations for Policy Decision-making

This report dives into the nitty-gritty of gig jobs and gender-based violence (GBV) in Canada. Gig work means jobs that are usually short-term, like driving for a ride-share app or doing freelance gigs found on the web. It can offer flexibility, but often lacks the security and benefits of regular jobs.

The report found that gig work is on the rise, and this can have serious consequences for women, especially those within marginalized communities like BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and moms. Furthermore, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, lots of people lost their jobs, and women took the biggest hit. They ended up with more responsibility in the home and still had to find ways to make money, often turning to gig work. This research suggests gig work can also make us more vulnerable to GBV based on the isolation and irregularity of tasks. And gig workers do not have the same supports as in a regular workplace.

So, what’s the solution? The report suggests shaking things up by changing how gig workers are classified to give them more rights and protections. Also, making sure there’s access to things like childcare can help women balance work and home life better. The goal is to make policies that recognize the unique challenges women face in the gig economy and help them stay safe and secure.

In a nutshell, gig work is a double-edged sword: flexible but risky, and when GBV enters the picture, it’s even more complicated. The report is calling for some serious changes to make sure women in gig work can get a fair shake.

To read a plain language summary report click here Summary Report: Gig Work and GBV in Canada Nov 2023
Read the full-length report here: Precarious Employment, Gig Work and Gender-based Violence in Canada

The project was co-funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Women and Gender Equality Canada. // Emploi précaire, travail à la demande et violence fondée sur le genre au Canada a été co-financé par le Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Humaines et Femmes et Égalité des Genres Canada.