New research from Jitjatjo, the leading AI staffing workplace, reveals that flexibility is top of mind for women joining the gig economy. Flexibility (60%) and being able to set their own hours (58%) are considered a key advantage over a traditional 9-5 job, along with not having to deal with colleagues in a full-time setting (77%).
 
Their male counterparts also cited being able to set their hours (41%) and flexibility (40%) as key advantages. Only 23% said having to deal with colleagues was an important benefit.
 
However, despite the allure of flexibility, lack of employee benefits is a significant deterrent for women considering gig work as a career option, with 39% citing this as a challenge. Jitjatjo's research confirms that long-term stability — including a steady paycheck and benefits — is a priority for women in the workforce.
 
"Pay equity and benefits are pivotal to attracting and retaining women to the gig economy," said Victoria Bethlehem, Chief People Officer at Jitjatjo. "Without long-term stability, it makes sense that women are less inclined to embrace nontraditional work arrangements fully. This is why Jitjatjo developed Better by Jitajto – to give shift workers a suite of low-cost optional benefit programs while taking advantage of the flexibility this type of work offers."
 
Additional findings from Jitjatjo's research underscore other notable trends:
 
●               While women are less likely to join the gig economy than men, who are more likely to rely on nontraditional work full-time, they typically have more success. Women encounter fewer challenges compared to their male counterparts – 29-39% of women reported various challenges, compared to 55-69% of men.
●               Inadequate support was the most reported challenge for men at 69%, and the least reported challenge for women at 29%.
●               One-quarter of women would consider gig work if forced to return to the office full-time, compared to 22% of men. They are also more likely to engage with shift work if they lost their job (59% compared to 39% of men), as a side hustle (55% vs. 43%) or if it pays well consistently (57% vs. 41%).
●               Women are more likely than men (57% vs. 40%) to disclose their participation in the gig economy with family and friends.
●               When asked about the long-term potential of shift work, women were more wary – primarily trusting gig work for a long-term option only if benefits are offered (37% compared to 22% of men with this belief).
●               Women who view the gig economy as shrinking, point to workers instead prioritizing traditional career paths for their long-term stability (63%).
 
As the gig economy continues to evolve, addressing the barriers hindering women's full participation is imperative. By prioritizing the provision of benefits and addressing compensation differentials, stakeholders can create a more equitable and inclusive environment within the gig economy.
 
About Jitjatjo
Since 2015, Jitjatjo has been at the forefront of integrated workforce management and talent marketplace innovations, helping businesses manage their shift-based workforces more effectively. Through its AI-powered platform, Jitjatjo enhances operational efficiency, improves service quality, and ensures compliance, driving both cost savings and flexibility.

To effortlessly manage shifts and vendors in one integrated platform, learn more at networkplatform.com. For temporary staffing, inquire at jitjatjo.com to quickly match with reliable W2 temp workers for your business.