Part-Time Nation: How the ‘Gig Economy’ Leaves Workers Financially Vulnerable

The latest set of findings from the Fourth Annual Guardian Workplace Benefits StudySM* reveals that a greater number of working Americans are participating in the “Gig Economy” (estimated to be about 25 percent of the U.S. labor force or roughly 40 million), working in part-time, independent contractor, or contingent positions rather than full-time, permanent jobs, particularly in industries like hospitality, healthcare, and retail. Although employment offers some security, the lack of employee benefits to part-time workers makes them financially vulnerable. Guardian’s research found that among the part-timers surveyed, one in three (36 percent) work in the hospitality industry.

More Americans are seeking greater autonomy and flexibility in their career than they can find in the traditional nine-to-five model.

Of those employed on a part-time basis (27 million or 18 percent of all U.S. workers), three-fourths choose to work part-time to achieve a better work-life balance. The…