The tech industry is applying an Uber-style ‘gigification’ model to nursing. It means no workers’ comp, AI managers, and ‘surveillance wages’

In the late 2000s, surging unemployment during the financial crash gave rise to the gig economy, later supercharged by the emergence of ride-sharing and food-delivery apps. Almost two decades later, gig work is as big as it’s ever been, and is creeping into one of the country’s most essential and historically stable professions.

Last year, at least 42 million people were considered gig workers in the U.S., nearly one-third of the total workforce. That includes independent contractors, freelancers, temporary staff, and even workers who hold gigs in addition to a full-time job.

The gig economy has diversified to seep into everything from accounting to law and even medicine. Health care, in fact, has grown to become one of the biggest gig work providers, with a plethora of apps now connecting nurses, technicians, and even doctors to temporary work, just like Uber. 

But in a similar vein to ridesharing apps, the gigification of health care might come at the expense of worker security and even allow companies to sidestep regulations, found a new report on the state of nursing gig work. 

Much like Uber convinced policymakers its drivers were contractors instead of employees, health care staffing platforms are pushing for legal recognition that would exempt them from obligations to pay minimum wage or provide workers with some benefits,........

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