Press releases

Part 3 of new Legal & General Study on U.S. gig economy workers takes a deep dive into what drives worker choices

82% of survey respondents opted to take the path of Gig Work over traditional employment.

12 Jan 2023


Full press release

Full report

  • 63% of respondents say flexibility is the key reason they made this choice
  • 35% of gig workers realize they can make more money working independently—54% of those earning over $100K
  • 46% value the ability to take on more work and make more money
  • 40% of respondents are reluctant to work in a traditional corporate setting for a variety of reasons

A third segment of a broad new study sponsored by Legal & General Group, U.S. Gig Economy, Part 3: Why Gig Work Is Becoming a Choice for So Many, was released today, continuing to explore the changing nature of work in the U.S., people’s relationship to it, and what employers should be thinking about in order to attract back talent. Part 3 of the study explores the why of gig work: why people choose or find their way to the U.S. Gig Economy, and how they describe their own agency within this framework. 

This third segment of the data-rich study, Why Gig Work Is Becoming a Choice for So Many, finds that the proportion of gig workers who have undertaken working in this model by choice (82 percent) far outstrips those for whom gig work was the next best option when they couldn’t secure a traditional job (13 percent). The study also looks into the top ‘best and worst’ factors of gig work, and how these inform lifestyle choices, sense of security, and financial stability.

While flexibility is a top driver, ethical concerns with corporations figure in gig workers’ choices

The study found that many workers who consider themselves part of the gig economy have ethical concerns with corporate America, with more than one in ten people surveyed expressing this as contributing to their decision to be self-employed. The study also found that while 16 percent of gig workers feel better able to adapt to a changing culture as a result of working independently, 20 percent reported feeling out of the loop in a fast-changing work culture. At the same time, 61 percent said that being able to work when they want is the best thing about gig work, and 46 percent said that gig work provides the ability to take on more work and thus make more money. On the negative side, 67 percent said that not having access to retirement plans and other benefits is a key drawback, and 62 percent didn’t like having to pay for their own health insurance.

Legal & General Group Chief Executive Sir Nigel Wilson: "The nature of work and the workplace changed radically due to the pandemic, and it’s inevitable that some of these changes will stick. The clear preferences expressed by American gig workers reflect the way people want to work now—and this research gives broad hints as to what we should be offering as employers. While few of our survey subjects would consider working in a corporate setting, employers can take heed to better design their workplaces around the flexibility that gig workers currently seek. If they want to open the door to attract the types of workers who would otherwise have wanted to stay in the gig economy, employers will need to continue to evolve their offerings to maximize job satisfaction.”
Study co-author and Legal & General Director of Levelling-Up, John Godfrey: "While this wave of gig workers expressed certain insecurities and anxieties, they are clearly propelled by positive incentives, whether it’s multiplying their opportunities to make money or take on multiple different forms of work. But above all, they are seeking freedom and flexibility. The gig economy has its drawbacks, notably around financial security and often lack of access to basic health and social needs, but it serves a function for a broad swath of workers."  
Multiple factors

Legal & General’s study looks at the complex and multifaceted societal and financial factors behind independent work.

Future segments of this research will look in depth at the extent to which gig workers meet their health and life insurance needs; the fierce independent mindedness of gig workers; their outlook on retirement planning; what it would take to get gig workers to go back to the traditional workplace; and the pandemic fallout for gig workers.

Further information

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Meir Kahtan

Meir Kahtan Public Relations, LLC

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Notes to editors

Established in 1836, Legal & General is one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with £1.2 trillion in total assets under management (as at FY23) of which c40% (circa £0.5 trillion) is international.

We have a highly synergistic business model, which continues to drive strong returns. We are a leading international player in Institutional Retirement, in Retail Savings and Protection, and in both public and private markets through our Asset Management division. Across the Group, we are committed to responsible investing and dedicated to serving the long-term savings and investment needs of customers and society.

As at 7 June 2024, we estimate the Group’s Solvency II coverage ratio to be 224%.

As at 11 June 2024, Legal & General has a market capitalisation of £14.6 billion.