Gender differences in motivation to engage in platform work

Platform work together with other new forms of employment are gaining ground in the European labour market. Although the share of women platform workers has been rising in recent years, they remain underrepresented in platform work. Generally, platform workers tend to be young and highly educated. Women are more likely to engage in platform work to gain an additional income and to have flexibility with the specific aim of combining work with family commitments. In contrast, men are more likely to engage in platform work due to opportunities to work globally and expand their client base to different cities or countries. Women and men who have children have higher odds of engaging in platform work because it potentially allows them to combine work with family commitments. Women living with a partner are also more likely to engage in platform work because of the possibility to earn an additional income. This association goes against broader labour market trends where living with a partner and having children has a negative impact on labour force participation. Online platforms seem to provide women with a link to the labour market that can potentially prevent a withdrawal from the labour force during different life stages.