Abstract Though the growth of the gig economy has coincided with increased economic precarity in the new economy, we know less about the extent to which gig work (compared with other self-employment arrangements and non-gig work) may fuel economic insecurity among American households. We fill this gap in the literature by drawing on a sample […]
Democratizing the economy or introducing economic risk? Gig work during the COVID-19 pandemic
Summary Though the growth of the gig economy has coincided with increased economic precarity in the new economy, we know less about the extent to which gig work (compared with other self-employment arrangements and non-gig work) may fuel economic insecurity among American households. We fill this gap in the literature drawing on a sample of […]
Gig Work and Self-Employment
Research Agenda
SPI analyzes data from the Household Financial Survey and Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey to explore how non-traditional work relates to workers’ financial stability.
Gig work can be a lifeline, but it may be disappearing for those that need it
When you think of gig work—types of work where online apps and platforms allow workers to get paid for a range of services including ride-sharing, home repairs, art sales, and property rental—you might imagine a flexible job that enables anyone to earn income. If you have a reliable car and a smartphone, you can download […]
Does Savings Affect Participation in the Gig Economy? Evidence from a Tax Refund Field Experiment
This paper investigates how saving the federal tax refund affects gig economy participation for low-income online tax filers in the six months following tax filing. Using longitudinal survey and administrative data, we leverage random assignment in a unique refund savings experiment as an instrument for refund savings. We find significant heterogeneity in estimated effects that are consistent […]
The Impact of Gig-Economy on Financial Hardship among Low-Income Families” Kaitlin Daniels, Olin Business School at Washington University
As the gig economy plays an increasingly important role in the labor market, there is a need to understand the economic factors that influence participation in this sector. In this paper, we investigate how saving the federal tax refund affects gig economy participation for low-income online tax filers in the six months following tax filing. […]
The Impact of the Gig-Economy on Financial Hardship (Links to an external site)
On-demand peer-to-peer services (‘gigs’) coordinated by platforms like Uber, allow workers to decide for themselves when and how much to work. This flexible work arrangement offers workers granular control over their earnings.
JPMorgan Chase awards $1.6 million grant to address employment vulnerability of low-wage frontline workers
JPMorgan Chase has awarded a $1.6 million grant to the Social Policy Institute (SPI) at Washington University in St. Louis in aid of its Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility (WEIM) Project to address the employment vulnerability of low-wage frontline and essential workers. Through this work, SPI will build a better understanding of the public policy […]
SPI research to be presented at Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management conference
Social Policy Institute research will be presented in seven different panels during the APPAM conference Nov. 17 to Nov. 18, 2022. Below are the papers and discussions that will be presented by the SPI team, including staff and faculty affiliates.
Household Financial Security: What can we learn from research in the U.K.?
A Trans-Atlantic Policy Forum could bring together academic researchers,
policy makers, advocates, and corporate leaders in the U.S. and U.K. to develop
insights to fuel changes in public policies and corporate behavior to promote the
financial security of low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals and families.
Cut me some slack! An exploration of slack resources and technology-mediated human capital investments in entrepreneurship
Purpose In this paper, the authors explore the relationship that slack resources and technology-mediated human capital investments can have on individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions. Focusing on human capital investments that individuals make through education and work, the authors analyze the relationship among formal online learning opportunities, informal skill development in the gig economy and entrepreneurial intentions. […]
Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 Survey: United States
Survey in the United States
The Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey in the U.S. consists of five waves and was designed to study the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. The survey was administered with oversight from an advisory committee with representation and experts from the field.
Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19: Israel
Survey in Israel
A survey was fielded in Israel to examine the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey collects data on approximately 2,300 respondents in each wave and consists of both a cross-sectional and a panel component, allowing researchers to analyze robust samples of households in each wave and track outcomes within households over time.
Building an effective employee financial wellness program [5 Key Insights]
Anyone who does a “happy dance” on payday knows how much employers affect our financial lives. Most of us depend on employment to make ends meet and pursue our long-term goals. That’s why through the Workforce Financial Stability Initiative, we’ve been studying employee financial wellness programs (EFWPs) since 2017. Our motivation was simple: with growing […]
Uber made big promises in Kenya. Drivers say it’s ruined their lives. (Links to an external site)
NBC News cited a research done by Michal Grinstein-Weiss, director of SPI, to demonstrate the impact of the gig economy on financial hardship among low-income families.
Cut Me Some Slack! Slack Resources and Technology-Mediated Human Capital Investments in Entrepreneurship
In this paper, we explore the impact that slack resources and technology can have on individuals’ entrepreneurial aspirations.
Event Replay: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Racial, Gender, and Generational Wealth Gaps
Below is a recording of the June 25, 2020 event, The Impact of COVID-19 on the Racial, Gender, and Generational Wealth Gaps, hosted by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University and the Center for Household Financial Stability at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. View Presentation Slides LEARN MORE: The Social Policy Institute […]
Financial Well-being: Measuring Financial Perceptions and Experiences in Low- and Moderate- Income Households (Links to an external site)
Abstract As the gig economy plays an increasingly important role in the labor market, there is a need to understand the economic factors that influence participation in this sector. In this paper, we investigate how saving the federal tax refund affects gig economy participation for low-income online tax filers in the six months following tax […]
Research Wire (Links to an external site)
Bufe, S., Roll, S. P., Kondratjeva, O., Hardy, B., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2019). Does Savings Affect Participation in the Gig Economy? Evidence from a Tax Refund Field Experiment (SPI Working Paper 19-1). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Social Policy Institute.
Financially Stressed Families Save More with Medicaid, Study Shows
As the gig economy plays an increasingly important role in the labor market, there is a need to understand the economic factors that influence participation in this sector. In this paper, we investigate how saving the federal tax refund affects gig economy participation for low-income online tax filers in the six months following tax filing. […]
Household Financial Survey (HFS)
Financial Security
Since 2013 SPI researchers have conducted the Household Financial Survey, a national, twice-per-year survey administered to a random sample of low- and moderate-income online tax filers.
Sam Bufe
Statistical Data Analyst II