Disconnect of Gig Workers from the Communities They Serve

Over the past four years, I’ve delivered approximately 15,000 Amazon packages and 1,000 Uber Eats orders, traveling through countless communities that I can’t genuinely say I’m attached to. While I’m originally from the Greater Wilmington/Philadelphia area and, like many locals, I root for the same sports teams—Go Birds!—I don’t feel a significant connection to these neighborhoods where I make my deliveries.

This lack of connection often affects my driving habits. When I’m out delivering at 4 or 5 AM, I’ll admit I sometimes speed and ignore traffic signs to get your package to you as quickly as possible. It’s not that I’m heartless; it’s just that I don’t have any ties to those communities. I’m just trying to finish my shift and get home.

Yet, one particular incident stands out. While speeding through an apartment complex in the early morning hours, I did a rolling stop at a stop sign that caught the ire of a couple walking their dogs. They waved their arms and yelled at me, visibly upset. In that moment, I realized I wouldn’t drive like that in my own neighborhood. I wouldn’t want to be seen as the “Tesla asshole” who disregards safety. I care about how my actions affect my community because I see those people regularly and would face them again.

But in that apartment complex, I was just a random, anonymous delivery person, and they’ll never see me again. So, honestly, I couldn’t care less about their opinions since I didn’t have to face any consequences for my actions. I’m just focused on delivering these Amazon packages and getting home to my family as quickly as possible. This anonymity is a reality of the gig economy, where workers can feel detached from the communities they serve.

In the past, delivery jobs were often filled by locals who had a vested interest in their neighborhoods. If you ordered pizza, you likely got it from a nearby shop, with a driver who lived in the area. These drivers knew the streets, the residents, and the nuances of the community. Today, that’s no longer the case. We now have a revolving door of gig workers who may not live anywhere near the areas they serve, leading to a disconnect that can have significant consequences.

Amazon Flex delivery drivers have replaced the traditional UPS or Postal Service delivery drivers who have developed strong connections with the communities they serve over the years. These drivers take pride in their work ethic because they know they’ll be held accountable for their customer service, delivering consistently in the same neighborhoods day after day. As a result, they often build relationships and trust with their customers that go beyond typical employee-customer interactions. They wouldn’t dream of speeding through the neighborhoods, knowing they could be quickly held responsible for their actions.

So why does this matter? When we invite individuals into our communities who have no real attachment or stake, it can lead to a lack of care for the environment and the people within it. Gig workers might speed through neighborhoods without a second thought, carelessly litter, or even engage in petty theft, all because they feel no personal connection to the area. Their anonymity allows them to operate without accountability.

This shift reduces the potential for rapport between delivery drivers and their customers. The gig economy is built on fleeting, transactional exchanges rather than fostering relationships. Gone are the days when you might recognize the same delivery driver week after week, building a rapport that could lead to a more friendly and understanding exchange. Instead, we’re left with a system that prioritizes efficiency over connection, assigning the cheapest, most available worker to fulfill an order without consideration for familiarity.

The result? Distrust. When delivery interactions lack a personal touch, both parties may approach the exchange with less goodwill. Customers may feel uneasy about a stranger speeding through their neighborhood, while drivers might view residents as mere obstacles in their quest to complete deliveries. It’s a cycle that can erode the community fabric, replacing trust with apprehension.

As we continue to navigate this gig-driven world, it’s essential to consider the impact it has on local communities. The fleeting nature of gig work can be convenient for consumers, but it comes at a cost. If we want to foster a sense of community, we must find ways to encourage deeper connections between service providers and the neighborhoods they serve. After all, a thriving community is built on relationships, trust, and mutual respect—qualities that are increasingly hard to come by in today’s gig-driven world.