Title: Disengaged: the problem of employee engagement in gig workers

Authors: Rebecca Wason

Addresses: Algoma University, 1520 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A 2G4, Canada

Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the levels of disengagement among remotely working independent gig workers with their client teams and organisations. The researcher distributed a structured questionnaire anchored on Kahn's three facets of employee engagement to various freelancers and consultants, also known as gig workers. Based on the results of the study, the respondents were adequately engaged in the work for which they were contracted, but their level of organisational and client team engagement was lower in comparison. Additionally, many respondents felt that the management had not clearly stated the significance and purpose of their work and/or had not guided them on organisational culture and norms. Thus, many of the respondents felt excluded and were unable to form social bonds with the client team that they were working with.

Keywords: employee disengagement; employee job satisfaction; gig workers; gig workers' job motivation; gig workers' job satisfaction; remote employees; organisational engagement; remote workers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMCP.2024.137637

International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, 2024 Vol.17 No.2, pp.149 - 160

Received: 28 Dec 2022
Accepted: 20 Feb 2023
Published online: 02 Apr 2024 *

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