2026 Robert J. Lampman Memorial Lecture | Katharine Abraham - Winners and Losers in the Gig Economy

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides valuable new data from a purpose-built survey, offering a more nuanced picture of gig work than official statistics. The argumentation is solid, systematically comparing survey results with existing data sources and acknowledging limitations. The speaker effectively uses descriptive statistics to show heterogeneity among gig workers, distinguishing between those who choose this work for autonomy and those who are forced into it due to lack of alternatives. The analysis of worker control and well-being outcomes is compelling, though the speaker correctly notes that the findings are not causal. The policy discussion is thoughtful, balancing the benefits of flexibility with the need for protections.

The title accurately reflects the lecture's focus on winners and losers in the gig economy, as the speaker examines both benefits and drawbacks for different worker groups.

8/10

Presentation by a distinguished economist with extensive policy experience, based on a new large-scale survey (18,000 workers) and referencing official statistics. The analysis is descriptive and acknowledges limitations, but the speaker's authority and the methodological transparency support a high reliability score.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction by Sarah Halpern-Manners, highlighting IRP's 60th anniversary and Professor Abraham's credentials.
• 05:00Abraham defines gig work broadly, including independent contractors and multiple job holders, and notes that official statistics may undercount.
• 10:00Comparison of household survey data (CPS, ACS) with tax data, showing discrepancies in self-employment trends.
• 15:00Introduction of the new survey: design, sample size (18,000 workers), and methodology.
• 20:00Findings on self-employment: follow-up question increases measured rate by 50%, and multiple job holding is 15% vs 5.7% in CPS.
• 25:00Discussion of worker control: many independent contractors lack control over how and when they work, raising misclassification concerns.
• 30:00Demographic differences: less educated, non-white, and single parents are more likely to lack control and face worse outcomes.
• 35:00Well-being outcomes: independent contractors without control report more financial difficulty, less health insurance, lower life satisfaction, and more anxiety.
• 40:00Multiple job holding: reasons vary, with about a third needing extra income for basic expenses, especially among less educated workers.
• 45:00Policy implications: need for better data, potential reforms to worker classification, and protections for vulnerable gig workers.

• Current Population Survey (CPS) — Mentioned as the source of official statistics on employment, self-employment, and multiple job holding.
• American Community Survey (ACS) — Cited as another household survey that shows stagnant self-employment rates.
• Tax data (Schedule C, 1099 forms) — Used to show higher and increasing numbers of self-employed and multiple job holders compared to household surveys.

• The Rise of the Gig Economy: Fact or Fiction? (2019) — Economic Policy Institute report that also questions official statistics on gig work and finds undercounting.

• The Gig Economy: A Critical Introduction (2020) — Some scholars argue that the gig economy is not as large as claimed, and that official statistics may be adequate for certain purposes.