Five questions about microwork
What employment service providers are asking
As part of the research for this project, we have talked with Toronto-based employment service providers. When it comes to microwork, they have more questions than answers.
– Marco Campana, Microtasking Research Analyst
Based on conversations with Toronto employment service providers, microwork is still relatively unfamiliar to the employment service professionals. Employment and other community-based agencies need to help job seekers navigate what appears to be an emerging labour market reality in Toronto. But it’s a challenge.
And not surprisingly, we are finding more questions than answers as a result of this project. However, awareness is growing about this almost hidden, but growing segment of the gig economy. Indeed, all the signals collected for this project suggest that we should be paying close attention.
The labour market is changing, and service providers have the ongoing job of balancing both employer and client needs. Their questions include:
- How can my agency prepare clients for microwork?
- Even if we may not agree with it, the reality is that we have to know to inform the clients and work with employers.
They are curious to know more about microtasking platforms. They also want to know whether the employers they work with use microtasking in their supply chain.
Q1: What do clients need to know about microtasking?
Service providers want to know to prepare clients. If clients do want to explore microwork as their main income source or as a side gig:
- How should we prepare clients for microwork?
- What skills will be useful?
- What is the technology requirement?
- How do you look for microwork?
- What are legit platforms?
- Are there risks, pitfalls, etc.?
- What are microwork employers (or “requestors”) looking for
- Other than IT skills, how to prepare to be a microworker?
Research analyst, Alastair Cheng, notes that the employers and industries currently using these platforms are primarily tech companies.
If microwork is on the rise, service providers need to understand what IT clients need to know. How do service providers prepare clients with IT experience?
So, it’s not just about microworkers. IT clients might also be doing the outsourcing for the company that employs them.
Q2: Is microwork that big a deal?
It’s hard to know how big microwork is, or is going to be in the city.
So, how much should human service agencies with limited resources give their attention to microwork in Toronto?
Q3: How do you prove the work you’ve done?
For reporting purposes, most agencies are focused on getting someone a full-time job. So that’s the measure of program success. Microwork disconnects workers from employers. They work on tasks, on a web portal (or app) and are never in contact with employers/requestors.
How do you document this type of work? What proof does a worker have that they did work for a company? Microtaskers work through the portal and cannot get references. But, employers are still looking for traditional references.
Q4: How do I address questions about microwork with employers?
The Internet Institute’s members have produced relevant research such as Platform Sourcing: How Fortune 500 Firms Are Adopting Online Freelancing Platforms. Employment service agencies are well versed in the broader gig economy and are preparing clients for this shifting work reality. But the conversation about microwork or task-based work hasn’t come up.
Employment service agencies work with Toronto employers and connect them with talent. Is microwork an area where they want to build suppliers? Can agencies help source microwork talent? What’s the potential role here?
Microwork is not traditional full-time employment. How can service providers talk to employers about microwork? It would be helpful to work with them. If they’re looking for this type of worker, then agencies can prepare clients for that reality.
Q5: Should we cover questions about microwork in our employment training programs?
Employment service providers update curriculum and workshops to ensure clients have the most accurate picture of the Toronto labour market. They are also starting to provide training on the higher-skilled aspects of gig work. Should they incorporate microwork into their training program?
These are all important questions our community and city needs to be able to answer, sooner rather than later.
Follow along as we work on future scenarios of microwork and identify the implications that microwork might have on life in Toronto, the workforce, and workforce development. Please connect with us if you have questions, want to share expertise, or be involved in the project!
Posted by Marco Campana
- Microworking in Toronto - February 21, 2020
- Kristy Milland: The state of microwork - February 10, 2020
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