Can the On-Demand Economy Open Doors for the Formerly Incarcerated?
Authors
Introduction
Today, roughly one in three workers in the United States are employed in the “gig economy,” also known as the “shared,” “on-demand,” or “access” economy. Jobs within it include ride-hailing and delivery digital platforms. One in twenty-five people across the country uses digital platforms like Uber or Lyft as a means of employment, and these sectors are expected to see large gains in future years. Although it began with just a few niche apps and digital marketplaces, the sector has grown tenfold in the past three years to nearly $34 billion dollars of annual revenue. And, with at least a quarter of the U.S. population now employed within it, this new and rapidly growing sector has the potential to recruit qualified applicants that are often excluded from traditional forms of employment—particularly those who have been incarcerated.
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