The Fiction Of Flexibility: How The Gig Economy Is Exploiting Workers

Up to 36% of American workers have participated in gig or independent work, a figure that continues to rise. Many platforms like Uber and DoorDash use claims of “flexibility” to classify workers as independent contractors, denying them minimum wage protections, benefits, and organizing rights, while often engaging in legal violations such as price fixing. This brief examines the unsustainable nature of the gig economy and explores legislative and legal reforms to promote fair opportunity for all Americans.

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December 12, 2025

Inquiry-driven, this project may reflect personal views, aiming to enrich problem-related discourse.

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Christian Do

Effective Discourse Intern

Christian is a high school student from California interested in politics, law, and economics. He was a fellow for the 2025 Fall Cohort and wrote his capstone about gig economy policy, which earned the Outstanding Capstone Award. He now works with the Effective Discourse department.

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