Marian Baird

In Australia, as in many other developed market economies, fatherhood ideals are shifting with some fathers wanting to be involved in caring for their children. Access to flexible work, which enables men to make choices about ‘when’, ‘where’ and for ‘how long’ they engage in work-related tasks, is key to supporting this shift. But not all work can or will provide this flexibility.

While scholars contest the flexibility of gig work due to the use of algorithmic management, offers to incentivize worker behaviour, and the fact that the availability of the work is subject to customer demand, on-demand gig work platforms like to portray themselves as enablers of flexible work. For example, one of the largest platforms, Uber, markets itself as offering a flexible  alternative for workers seeking greater control over their schedules.