A gig worker, or freelance worker, is someone whose primary form of employment involves working on demand, at will. This is in contradistinction to the typical form of employment where an employee operates under the direction of a company that issues them a salary.

Why are they called Gig workers?

The gig economy meaning is a labor market where freelance, temporary, or independent contract work is common. Full-time, permanent positions are not part of the gig economy. The term “gig” comes from musicians and describes a job that lasts for only a specified period of time.

Is a gig worker considered self employed?

Gig work — Uber driving, Instacart shopping, Amazon Flex delivery and so on — is on-demand, freelance work that's typically taxed as self-employment. Instead of having an employer withhold money from your paycheck, you're an independent contractor who is expected to pay taxes on your gig income as you earn it.