Abstract
Using the lens of attachment, we explore microworkers’ views of their employment relationship. Microwork comprises short-term, task-focused exchanges with large numbers of end-users (requesters), implying transitory and transactional relationships. Other key parties, however, include the platform which digitally meditates worker-requester relationships and the online microworker community. We explore the nature of attachment with these parties and the implications for microworkers’ employment experiences. Using data from a workers’ campaign directed at Amazon Mechanical Turk and CEO Jeff Bezos, we demonstrate multiple, dynamic bonds, primarily, acquiescence and instrumental bonds towards requesters and the platform, and identification with the online community. Microworkers also expressed dedication towards the platform. We consider how attachment buffers the exploitative employment relationship and how community bonds mobilise collective worker voice.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 476-494 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Work, Employment and Society |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 27 Jan 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2020 |
Keywords
- digital labour
- employment relationship
- gig work
- identification
- microworkers
- platform labour
- work attachment
- worker voice
- digital platform
- gig economy
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Prizes
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Nominated for Work, Employment & Society Sage Prize 2021
Panteli, N. (Recipient), Rapti, A. (Recipient) & Scholarios, D. (Recipient), 2020
Prize: Other distinction