‘Personalised risk’ in paid care work and the impacts of ‘gig economy’ care platforms and other market-based organisations

Abstract

Research has identified ‘personalised risks’ for workers due to changes in the public/private dimensions of care where workers are directly employed or engaged by care users in individualised care systems. Drawing on interviews with workers in Australia’s new individualised disability services market, the research explores personalised risk and the effects of involvement in personalised care relationships of market-based organisations, including online digital care platforms. It finds that rather than having a protective role, both digital platforms and employing organisations can increase risks for workers in individualised care relationships.