Temporary Work Apps Gain Popularity During the Pandemic
2021-09-01
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1Computer apps that permit people to work for short periods at jobs that require little or no training are becoming popular.
2As industries deal with worker shortages, these apps are helping people get paying jobs they would not normally be able to find.
3Stint is an app that is popular in Britain.
4It is aimed at workers seeking jobs that require few skills.
5Similar apps in the United States are Instaworks and Gigpro.
6Instaworks and Gigpro however are different from Stint in that they are better for more experienced workers.
7With economic recovery unclear, flexibility is important for both workers and employers.
8Gabrielle Walker is a 19-year-old student at University College London.
9She got the Stint app, received 15 minutes of training and got a job at a restaurant for one day.
10She noted that even students with little experience could sign up with similar apps and find paid work.
11That work could even be for a few hours so it could fit into their schedule from week to week.
12Sol Schlagman started Stint with his brother.
13He remembered his own experience as a college student.
14He said the app is for the student who needs money to pay for housing.
15But he added that it can also help "the student that wants to buy a pair of shoes they wouldn't necessarily buy otherwise."
16The apps are similar to the many short-term work apps that have appeared in recent years.
17They include Uber, DoorDash and TaskRabbit.
18But the latest ones are different.
19They link workers with employers that have a continuous need for labor but they do not want permanent employees.
20Fiona Greig is the co-president of the JPMorgan Chase Institute, a financial research group.
21She said, "It's no surprise that during COVID, when everything became virtual that these...marketplaces might have exploded."
22The newer temporary work apps could help ease the labor shortage in Britain that is partly caused by the pandemic.
23Recently, the National Health Service released a system that tells users if they have been near someone who has the coronavirus.
24Many workers had to isolate themselves.
25Some stores had to temporarily close because workers could not go to their jobs.
26Jacob Sumner is the director of European operations at the restaurant group Chipotle.
27He said Chipotle uses Stint to get help during busy times.
28Chilango, another group of restaurants, said it also uses Stint.
29The use of apps to connect businesses and workers for short-term work is growing in the United States too.
30Sumir Meghani helped start and is chief of Instaworks.
31He said the rise and fall of coronavirus cases caused employment problems for businesses.
32They sometimes must increase or decrease operations at any moment.
33Ben Ellsworth started Gigpro.
34He created the app to help the employment shortages caused by the pandemic.
35He also saw greater flexibility in the job market during the pandemic.
36Ellsworth spent years in the restaurant industry.
37He said restaurant workers have been paid very little, have little reason to work, have been offered little flexibility or have a low quality of life.
38Ellsworth suggested that after losing work, many turned to other industries or found temporary work to meet their own needs.
39This happened at a time when businesses needed temporary, hourly workers as restrictions eased.
40The short-term employment apps serve a current need for flexibility.
41However, critics predict a threat to workers over a long period of time.
42They say if temporary workers replace permanent workers, it could reduce job security, sick pay and similar benefits.
43Greig said, however, that these apps can lower barriers to work for many people who need money quickly.
44This includes many young workers with limited job experience.
45Student Gabrielle Walker likes the apps, saying, "Everyone could do it."
46I'm Gregory Stachel.
1Computer apps that permit people to work for short periods at jobs that require little or no training are becoming popular. As industries deal with worker shortages, these apps are helping people get paying jobs they would not normally be able to find. 2Stint is an app that is popular in Britain. It is aimed at workers seeking jobs that require few skills. 3Similar apps in the United States are Instaworks and Gigpro. Instaworks and Gigpro however are different from Stint in that they are better for more experienced workers. With economic recovery unclear, flexibility is important for both workers and employers. 4Gabrielle Walker is a 19-year-old student at University College London. She got the Stint app, received 15 minutes of training and got a job at a restaurant for one day. 5She noted that even students with little experience could sign up with similar apps and find paid work. That work could even be for a few hours so it could fit into their schedule from week to week. 6Sol Schlagman started Stint with his brother. He remembered his own experience as a college student. 7He said the app is for the student who needs money to pay for housing. But he added that it can also help "the student that wants to buy a pair of shoes they wouldn't necessarily buy otherwise." 8The apps are similar to the many short-term work apps that have appeared in recent years. They include Uber, DoorDash and TaskRabbit. But the latest ones are different. They link workers with employers that have a continuous need for labor but they do not want permanent employees. 9Fiona Greig is the co-president of the JPMorgan Chase Institute, a financial research group. She said, "It's no surprise that during COVID, when everything became virtual that these...marketplaces might have exploded." 10The newer temporary work apps could help ease the labor shortage in Britain that is partly caused by the pandemic. Recently, the National Health Service released a system that tells users if they have been near someone who has the coronavirus. Many workers had to isolate themselves. Some stores had to temporarily close because workers could not go to their jobs. 11Jacob Sumner is the director of European operations at the restaurant group Chipotle. He said Chipotle uses Stint to get help during busy times. Chilango, another group of restaurants, said it also uses Stint. 12The use of apps to connect businesses and workers for short-term work is growing in the United States too. 13Sumir Meghani helped start and is chief of Instaworks. He said the rise and fall of coronavirus cases caused employment problems for businesses. They sometimes must increase or decrease operations at any moment. 14Ben Ellsworth started Gigpro. He created the app to help the employment shortages caused by the pandemic. He also saw greater flexibility in the job market during the pandemic. 15Ellsworth spent years in the restaurant industry. He said restaurant workers have been paid very little, have little reason to work, have been offered little flexibility or have a low quality of life. 16Ellsworth suggested that after losing work, many turned to other industries or found temporary work to meet their own needs. This happened at a time when businesses needed temporary, hourly workers as restrictions eased. 17The short-term employment apps serve a current need for flexibility. However, critics predict a threat to workers over a long period of time. They say if temporary workers replace permanent workers, it could reduce job security, sick pay and similar benefits. 18Greig said, however, that these apps can lower barriers to work for many people who need money quickly. This includes many young workers with limited job experience. 19Student Gabrielle Walker likes the apps, saying, "Everyone could do it." 20I'm Gregory Stachel. 21Urooba Jamal reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 22_____________________________________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24app - n. a computer program that performs a special function 25flexible - adj. easily changed 26schedule - n. a plan of things that will be done and the times when they will be done 27pair - n. two things that are the same and are meant to be used together 28otherwise - adv. if something did not happen, was not true, 29virtual - adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet 30isolate - v. to put or keep (someone or something) in a place or situation that is separate from others