The purpose of this article is to discuss the relevance of the psychological contract (PC) in microwork through the lens of social exchange theory.
Drawing on microworker data from an online campaign, the authors analysed the expectations that microworkers hold with respect to their employment relationship involving interactions with requesters and a platform intermediary.
They identify the expectations of microworkers regarding flexibility, performance appraisal, equal treatment, fair pay, recognition, protection and dignity aimed at the platform and the requesters. The findings indicate that microworkers, who interact mainly with a platform, which replaces a traditional organisation, surprisingly, develop a relational PC within gig economy. Furthermore, they explore the implications of this evidence on the relationship between workers and online platforms.
This article forwards the concept of PC in alternative work settings and discusses how the HR function becomes embedded in the future of work.
