Two interesting articles appeared on September 6. The Seattle Times published a Los Angeles Times article titled, “Instacart shoppers face unforgiving metrics: ‘It’s a very easy job to lose’” and American Compass released an essay titled, “Conservatives Should Ensure Workers a Seat at the Table.”
The Times article covers the harsh metrics imposed on Instacart shoppers including ongoing tracking of order filling, notices to employees via an app when they’ve earned a 10-minute break, and monitoring the words employees use with customers to make sure they use the preferred script. They offer low wages, keep employees from getting enough hours to have benefits, and drive them hard. These are the jobs people leave regularly creating turnover and training costs for employers.
The American Compass is a conservative organization so it’s a bit surprising they wrote what they did about unions, including, “Rather than cheer the demise of a once-valuable institution, conservatives should seek reform and reinvigoration of the laws that govern organizing and collective bargaining…” They make the case it’s a mutually beneficial relationship when owners, managers, and workers work together.
Compare the above to most small businesses. Talking to business buyers, I regularly hear about how they like building teams, helping employees grow, and improve. Business sellers often seem to care more about their people keeping their jobs than the price they get for the business (as in, I’ll take a little less from someone I feel I can trust to take care of my people).
Unions came about because of horrible working conditions. In my opinion, one reason they’ve lost membership is they became too rigid and too political (for private sector workers).
It’s interesting to see how things could swing back with influence from both sides of the political spectrum. It’s also fascinating to see how some technology-based service companies (like Instacart) are returning to the employment practices reminiscent of 100 years ago.
There has to be a balance between management and workers because animosity hurts all.
“Take a rest; a field that has rested gives a better crop.” (Roman poet) Ovid
