Bobbi Thomason Publishes Research on Gig Workers and Employer Expectations

Bobbi Thomason recently published a research article, Risky Business: Gig Workers and the Navigation of Ideal Worker Expectations During the COVID-19 Pandemic, in the Journal of Applied Psychology. Before the pandemic, managers expected their employees to fit the “ideal worker” model where they devote themselves entirely to work. However, during the pandemic, many individuals, especially in lower-paid, customer-facing jobs, were expected to not only be available at all times but also take on physical risk. Thomas examines non-professional “gig” workers (TaskRabbit employees) and how they manage ideal worker expectations. Data was collected through interviews and showed how workers engaged in different tactics to manage risk. Thomason’s findings show how concerns about risk shape workers’ response to ideal worker expectations. 

The full research article is available in the Journal of Applied Psychology.