What is Gig Work?

Have you ever wondered about those people who seem to have super flexible jobs, working whenever and wherever they want? How do they get these jobs? What kind of jobs are they?

Imagine you have a regular job where you go to work at the same place every day, and your boss pays you a fixed amount of money every month or every hour you work. That's what we call a standard job. But in today's world, not everyone works like that! Other work is more temporary or based on specific projects. Sometimes, workers have a different employer than the one they work for. These different arrangements are often called alternative work arrangements and include things like freelancing, temporary agency work, being self-employed, or doing subcontracted work.

Another option in the vast universe of work is gig workers. Instead of having a long-term job with one employer, gig workers take on short-term jobs or projects. It's like they're work adventurers, zooming from one task to another, without being tied down to one place or one boss.

Sometimes, gig workers are hired to do specific tasks, especially in the cannabis industry like trimming flower, post-harvest, or packaging products in an assembly line. Other times, they might work for themselves. For example, someone might be a consultant to a new cannabis grow to share their knowledge and show the employees the tips and tricks they have learned over the years.

Now, here's where it gets really interesting! Gig workers don't always get paid by the same company they work for. Sometimes, they even work for a different company than the one they're actually doing the work for! We call these arrangements "non-standard" or "alternative." That's because gig workers often find jobs through special websites or apps, like Vangst, that connect them with people who need their help.

So, why do people choose to be gig workers? Well, it turns out, many of them love the freedom, flexibility, and sense of adventure it gives them. But here's the thing: while gig work can be super exciting, it also has its challenges. Sometimes, gig workers have to deal with not having a steady income like people with regular jobs. Another reason why people like doing gig work is because it helps them when their regular job isn't enough to pay the bills. Other times, it's just a fun way to earn extra cash. Despite the ups and downs, gig work is becoming more and more important in our world today. Whether they're delivering packages, growing the flower, or even budtending, gig workers are definitely a vital part of our industry!