As part of the PLUS project funded by the European Commission, I contributed to the designing and lead the testing of a Charter of Digital Workers’ Rights. This initiative aimed to address precarious working conditions in the platform economy by providing actionable guidelines for improving workplace design and informing policy development.
Challenge:
The platform economy has been criticized for its precarious working conditions despite offering flexible income opportunities. The challenge lay in bridging the gap between high-level policy frameworks and the practical realities of implementation. Government agencies and public organizations required insights into aligning regulations with industry dynamics while safeguarding worker rights.
Solution:
Using mixed-methods participatory action research, I conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the Charter of Digital Workers’ Rights across multiple platform organizations. Key steps included:
- Collaborating with stakeholders to define research protocols tailored to company needs.
- Conducting workshops, surveys, and interviews with platform workers and managers to assess the Charter’s practical implications.
- Identifying barriers to implementation and opportunities for aligning workplace design with workers’ rights.
- Synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations for both platforms and policymakers.
Impact:
- The Charter informed revisions to the Directive of Platform Workers, ensuring its alignment with ground realities.
- Informed local public agencies on effective strategies for embedding worker protections into digital platform policies.
- Several participating companies implemented recommendations, including enhancing contractual transparency and integrating clearer rights communication.
- Elevated the importance of participatory policy testing as a model for aligning legislation with operational realities, enabling better outcomes for both workers and organizations.
Further details on this case study, including insights and findings, are available upon request. Send an email to melissarenau.ux@gmail.com
