The gig economy provides people with the means to easily freelance for companies , making money while setting their own schedule .
But while these gigs can be a handy way to make some pocket change, they can also be exploitative, bringing diminishing returns to those who participate.
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One former Uber Eats driver says he made just 37 cents during a four-hour shift. When you read his story, you’ll understand why he’s a former Uber Eats driver.
Uber Eats has exploded in popularity.
The rise of Uber Eats coincided with a global pandemic, ensuring that there’d be plenty of business for delivery drivers with restaurants shut down. It’s the most popular food delivery app in the world, in an industry that’s expected to reach a whopping $320 billion market size by 2029 .
Is it a good deal for drivers?
It’s tough to calculate earnings, as gas and maintenance of personal vehicles needs to be taken into account. The job is heavily dependent on tips as well. But according to some sources , Uber Eats drivers make anywhere from $8 to $12 an hour when these expenses are factored in.
According to one driver, it’s not a good deal at all.
In a post on the r/antiwork subreddit titled simply ’37 cents’, a now-former Uber Eats driver vented about the terrible earnings he made during a recent shift that lasted for four hours.
He’s out of work for the time being, so decided to give Uber Eats a shot.
“I drove for four hours. Did 8 deliveries. 3 of 8 people tipped,” he wrote. “After 8 deliveries, I’d made a whopping $30.97. Filled up my tank to go home. $30.60. Four hours of my life for 37 cents. And accounting for my car’s depreciation, it cost me money to drive for Uber Eats.”
He concluded the brief post with some choice words about the gig economy.
It seems like a good deal…
Plenty of commenters shared their similar experiences.
“When I drove for Uber years ago, I thought I was doing fairly well,” wrote one . “Made about $100 [per] day in four to six hours, usually. I was worried about taxes until I included my mileage deduction. Turns out I made nothing. Put 20,000 extra miles on my car and broke even.”
About that tax thing…
The top comment , which stated, “It gets worse,” pointed out that this meager income hasn’t been taxed yet. While mileage and business expenses are generally tax deductible, gig economy drivers still have to pay taxes on the income they make.
OP quit his Uber Eats job.
Two shifts were evidently enough. Speaking to Business Insider , the poster said he called it quits after the second shift. Business Insider also reached out to Uber, who provided a vague statement saying that earnings can vary.
The post has really taken off.
It isn’t often that a disgruntled ex-employee’s Reddit story gains enough traction to get news coverage and a statement from their former employee, but that’s what’s happened here. Right now, the post has more than 20,000 upvotes and close to 2,000 comments.
Have you participated in the gig economy?
Virtually all of us have participated as consumers, but have you ever driven for Uber or a similar company? What was your experience like? What do you think of this ex-driver’s story? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.
