Based on market and operational needs, a lot of companies look to a third-party company to provide warehouse labor and help manage operations. In the modern world, however, the gig economy has taken this concept a step further, and with this change have come various myths about gig warehouse labor.
Provided you know what you’re getting into, utilizing gig labor for certain tasks and shifts can be efficient, effective, and above all, profitable. Dispelling common misunderstandings about this option for flex warehouse labor is a good first step towards figuring out the best course of action for your operation.
Myth #1: Only Millennials Participate in the Gig Economy
Experience is key when it comes to warehouse work, so the idea of hiring someone new to warehouse labor for a temp gig may not seem like a good solution to your day-to-day labor needs. However, the gig economy isn’t just for workers under 40—in 2018, about 29% of surveyed Americans over the age of 50 identified primarily as freelancers.
If you’re worried about gig workers being inexperienced, don’t be—HapiGig’s platform has workers of every level of experience and expertise ready to meet your specific needs. What’s more, all of our Hapi Workers have gone through an intensive vetting process to ensure that only high-quality on demand flex labor is available.
Myth #2: Gig Work Takes Away Full-Time Jobs
The beauty of the gig economy for employers is that it works exactly when and where you need it—just as you would only call an Uber when you need a ride, you can hire flex labor from HapiGig only when demand for hours warrants it. In this way, gig labor actually strengthens job security for full-time employees, rather than weakening it. With flex labor, you can fill gaps in shift assignments and volume variation without committing to a long-term hire, and full-time employees don’t have to worry about being overworked.
Myth #3: Gig Workers Don’t Work as Hard and Lack Qualifications
Some people think it can be hard to trust new workers with their business, especially if they are sourced from a third-party platform on a gig-by-gig basis. In reality, most gig warehouse workers should meet or even exceed expectations for productivity and work quality.
For example, HapiGig workers go through a rigorous vetting process, and in some markets as little as 1.5% of applicants are accepted. This means that when you bring on flex labor through HapiGig, you’re retaining experts in their field who know how to solve problems quickly and maximize efficiency while doing it.
Furthermore, HapiGig’s rating systems lets you look at reviews from other employers before making a decision to hire a worker for a flex gig. Then, after their shift is complete, you can leave your own review to ensure that only high-quality workers are available through our platform.
Myth #4: Using Gig Labor Means a Loss of Strategic Control
Not being able to maintain control is one of the most common concerns businesses have about outsourcing of any kind, especially the kind that involves gig workers. After all, how can you trust a third party to execute on your business strategy the same way you would?
However, it is important to think of gig labor not as working with a contractor, but rather as working with a business partner. When you utilize gig labor, you’re leveraging not only an experienced worker’s manpower, but also their strategic and operational expertise, all of which can be customized to best serve your operation.
Myth #5: Gig Labor Doesn’t Make Sense for Small Warehouses
When many people think of gig labor, they think of companies like Uber blanketing a large area with workers filling individual needs. While this image may be accurate for some industries, warehouse gig labor can help with operations of any size, including your own.
HapiGig can customize flex labor to a particular company’s needs, whether you just need one person to replace a call-out or want to prepare for inevitable volume variation. There is a gig labor solution that’s right for your business—all you have to do is take advantage of it.