Income Inequality

Americans are increasingly taking on side gigs - women in particular. (Credit: Mizuno K, Pexels) Everyone works for a living – but some of us are working more. Recent research from the U.S. Labor Department has revealed that an increasing amount of workers in the U.S. are taking on second jobs and side hustles in order to make ends meet. And women and Black Americans are doing so more than most – the data show that 6.1% of women and 6.4% of Black people are holding down multiple jobs, as compared with the national average of 5.2%. Inflation was cited as a primary driver of the trend, though an overall more robust gig economy – which first emerged during Covid lockdowns – has also made it more possible than ever to monetize one’s hobbies and passions. A mixture of both need and opportunity, in short. Whether that’s ultimately a good or bad thing lies within the eye of the beholder, experts say. “On the positive side, we can see that people have more flexible opportunities to augment their income,” Tessa Conroy, an economic development specialist and associate professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, told the Washington Post. “We might think of this as a showing of the entrepreneurial spirit.” “But,” she continued, “we also want to consider the quality of work associated with these positions. Are people pursuing multiple jobs because of low wage growth? Do they have stable income? Do they have adequate benefits to support themselves and their family?” Indeed, while some are capitalizing on new opportunities to grow their side gigs into something more, plenty of others are simply trying to keep roofs over their families’ heads – and getting little else out of the deal. Monique Mcclain of Nashville, who supplements her income as an Uber driver and with warehouse work, told the Post that she had to take on those shifts to account for her rising rent. “I sleep between each of the different assignments — a four-hour window here and there,” Mcclain said. “I was recently put on medication for high blood pressure and heart problems. These jobs are hard on my body, but I have no choice.” Worse, women freelancers grapple with their own wage gap – earning 79 cents for every dollar a male freelancer makes. Matt Pelkey, senior lead content strategist at OnDeck – the personal finance company that discovered the trend – called for more research into the matter, which would “equip both businesses and freelancers to advocate for fair compensation practices, ensuring freelancers are compensated based on their skills, experience and contributions rather than their gender.”

Income Inequality

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The Story Exchange

Income Inequality

More Americans – Women Especially – Are Working Second Jobs

Women Musicians Are 8 Times More Likely to Face Discrimination, Study Finds

The Story Exchange

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