A Study of Working Conditions in Platform Work

Abstract

Despite growing academic interest in platform work and the gig economy, most existing research focuses on Western Europe, often neglecting the unique institutional and socioeconomic contexts of Central and Eastern Europe. This study addresses that gap by exploring the working conditions of platform workers in Poland, with particular emphasis on both material and psychosocial dimensions from the workers’ own perspectives. Data were collected from a nationally representative sample of 450 platform workers engaged in both online and location-based tasks, using the computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) method. The findings show a high level of perceived autonomy, with 74% of respondents feeling that they are independent in their work. However, autonomy is often limited by external factors, in particular, the availability of work. Workers who treat platform work as a side job are significantly more likely to report a sense of autonomy. In terms of health and safety, only 27% expressed concerns about negative health impacts, and 24% reported poor working conditions. Those who received health and safety information from the platform were more likely to acknowledge potential risks. Interestingly, workers relying on platform work as their primary source of income were more likely to perceive their work as safe, compared to those treating it as supplementary employment.