Sexual harassment takes a hidden toll on gig workers

Research examining sexual harassment in customer-facing gig work finds that its effects can persist after an encounter ends. Rideshare drivers, delivery workers, housekeepers, and others may face unwanted sexual remarks, propositions, or touching while working alone, often without a supervisor, coworkers, or clear reporting process. The researchers identify two ways harassment can carry over into work. Psychological distress - such as anxiety and emotional exhaustion - can lead workers to withdraw, slow down, or invest less effort. Self-threat, in which an encounter undermines a worker’s dignity, competence, or sense of control, is linked to more negative interactions with later customers.

Across two studies, workers who had access to unions or similar organizations showed weaker harmful links between harassment and subsequent workplace behavior. Collective support may offer community, practical information, shared experience, and a route to seek help, countering the isolation common in gig work. The findings point to steps platforms can take, including clearer reporting procedures, customer ratings by workers, safety information before assignments, and stronger consequences for customers with documented harassment. They also raise a broader question: how can independent contractors obtain meaningful workplace protections and collective representation? The research argues that app-based convenience should not obscure the safety and dignity of the people providing the service.