Humanistic Management and the Gig Economy: Fairness Considerations

Gig workers are often not regarded as employees by the platforms they work with. Yet they do not always have the freedoms enjoyed by independent contractors. Technology today influences the world of work in many ways, and this is one area in which the new realities need to be better understood, to promote human dignity, protect the vulnerable, and foster flourishing. Justice and fairness in new forms of work must be researched and innovatively translated into ethical practice in diverse ways and in various cultures. Humanistic management proposes to effectively achieve this translation through prioritising the human person over financial profit—promoting well-being and dignity in the workplace. Humanistically-managed enterprises seek to respect both humans working with them and humans whose needs they serve; they care about mutuality, reciprocity, and shared value in their relationships. This book’s chapters explore ways in which fairer work principles could humanise the way gig workers are treated, suggest improvements, and share valuable insights with platform economy scholars and practitioners. There is a need for collaboration between these (scholars and practitioners) and governments, worker unions, and human resource specialists, to address the challenges faced by gig workers and create a more equitable and sustainable gig economy.