Work experiences of platform workers in the Netherlands are often more negative than work experiences of people with other employment contracts, according to a study by Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The study polled 3,620 workers with different employment contracts. Self-employed workers, workers with a permanent contract, a temporary contract of employment and entrepreneurs took part in the study. The study noted that most platform workers are generally young men and women without children.

Working for a platform often gives a feeling of dependence, the research found. This is because on many platforms, the amount of work offered to a platform worker depends on the speed at which they work and customer evaluations. There are few opportunities for them to plan and carry out work themselves, the study noted.

In addition to this lack of autonomy, workers who work via platforms said that the workload is ‘quite high’ and the work monotonous. In addition, they said they have little or no emotional support from colleagues, because the traditional employer-employee relationships do not apply to platform work. These working conditions affect the well-being of platform workers. They experience insecurity about their work, exhaustion, lack of enthusiasm and poor work-life balance.

The researchers at Erasmus University Rotterdam said they believe it is important that platform work is better regulated, taking into account the unique working conditions and the different needs of platform workers. 

“The government can play a major role in improving the working conditions and well-being of platform workers,” the study stated. “Work experiences of platform workers are more often negative than work experiences of people with other employment contracts.”

The researchers added that the government and employers as well as the platforms and people who work via the platforms can contribute to better job satisfaction and more interesting and better paid platform work.

Among the recommendations made by the researchers include making the platform providers actual employers so that platform workers receive more rights, have the government organise online or offline meetings where platform workers receive support and information, launch an information campaign about the benefits of trade unions, and be able to provide better paid platform work. Furthermore it recommends giving platform workers free e-training so that their motivation and well-being are stimulated.

Researcher Yuri Scharp, one of the authors of the report, said, “Platform workers who worked proactively in a playful way experienced less exhaustion and more engagement than non-playful colleagues.”

The study defined playful work design as a form of proactive behaviour in which people approach work more playfully to make the work more entertaining and challenging.

“Playful work design is about seeking, finding and recognising play opportunities within work activities,” the study stated. “This process may be easier to perform due to the monotonous nature of platform work. This is in line with the popular strategy of gamification that digital employment platforms often employ to motivate individuals.”