SPONSORED CONTENT–Ride-hailing and other gig economy jobs have been in higher demand in recent years by people of all different lifestyles and backgrounds who appreciate the flexibility the industry provides.

Princess Monteiro drives for Uber in New York City and said that she wanted a job that was flexible and wouldn’t confine her to hours that she didn’t desire. A bonus was that the job pays well–something she said she didn’t expect. 

“Most workdays I work 5 to 8 hours a day,” Monteiro said. “I just need to be flexible. I work really around the school schedule, and I like to do their homework with them and stuff like that.”

A report by the Hamilton Project found that as the post-Great Recession job market recovers people have turned more to gig work due to flexibility, low barriers to enter the workforce and low training costs. It also said customers benefit from the services offered.

According to a YouGov survey published in September 2021 by Airtasker, 70% of Generation Z embraces a flexible economy that allows them to set their hours, as well as the scope of work. It added that 33% were influenced by monetizing their skills and 52% by flexibility. Of those surveyed, 38% were 18-34, 25% were 35-55 and 11% were 55 and older. Also, 31% were Hispanic, 27% African-American and 21% were white/other. 

In 2018 Gallop had a poll that showed independent gig workers have high levels of work-life balance and creative freedom. An Edison Research report that was also done found that 44% of 1,044 gig workers have it as a primary source of income.

A report by Forbes added that 36% of Generation Z respondents to a 2021 survey from Commercial Cafe wanted the freedom to work from anywhere.