A new report from The Workers Lab highlights young gig workers, ages 16 to 24, who are disconnected from traditional employment arrangements. Despite being removed from spheres of influence and often missing from mainstream work data, these young people have the greatest potential to envision a more equitable future of work. The report, authored by participant-researchers, reveals the realities and challenges faced by young gig workers and proposes more effective labor policies that reflect their vision for the future.
Our Opportunity Youth initiative supports young people (ages 16-24 in the U.S.) in utilizing their talents and abilities to secure quality employment. Gig and nonstandard workers—those working outside full-time, direct-hire, long-term employment—are among the most excluded groups. Marginalized groups, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and young parents, are more likely to lack access to the benefits and protections of traditional employment. Yet, their experiences are crucial for shaping a more inclusive economy.
In the coming months, The Workers Lab will release deeper dives into specific components introduced in the report, including work and family, artificial intelligence, career paths and training, racism and corporate DEI initiatives, and healthcare access. This research is part of The Workers Lab’s multi-year participatory research project, the Gig Worker Learning Project, which aims to develop the first worker-centered, participatory data on the ways people work in today’s economy.
