UM-Flint NOW · 3 Sep, 13:13 · Technology briefing

UM-Flint's Institute for Society and Technology finds local gig workers want stronger pay and benefits protections

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

30%premium for professionals who pair domain skills with tech fluency

3.5xfaster skill turnover — staying current is the moat

74%of employers fund staff who self-start upskilling

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Research from the University of Michigan-Flint’s Institute for Society and Technology reveals that local gig workers are increasingly demanding improved pay structures and comprehensive benefits protections. The study highlights a growing disconnect between current platform economy models and worker expectations regarding financial security. This finding underscores a significant shift in the labour market, where non-traditional employment arrangements are prompting calls for stronger regulatory frameworks. Professionals should note this trend as it signals potential legislative changes and evolving standards for worker welfare across various sectors.

Employer demand for Human Resources skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This shift signals a structural evolution in the labour market, elevating the strategic value of Human Resources and Legal expertise. You must understand how to navigate complex employment classifications and design equitable compensation models. If you lead teams, prioritise skills in labour law compliance and ethical workforce management. Smart professionals should now investigate how emerging regulations affect contract-based work. Develop your ability to assess risk in gig-based supply chains and advocate for inclusive policies. Whether you are in management or policy, staying ahead of these protections positions you as a forward-thinking leader capable of adapting to a more regulated, stable future of work.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Human Resources, Law, Business And Management and Public Administration — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.