Blurred boundaries: Case study on work-life integration of gig workers

Gig work has grown quickly in India, but workers are still at risk of serious physical, mental and financial harm. It is characterized by short-term, flexible, task-oriented employment enabled by digital platforms, which has blurred the distinctions between professional and personal life. The study aims to examine the experiences of gig workers and explore how they balance work and life across different types of platform-based jobs. Through using a qualitative case study method, the study investigates work-life integration among gig workers. It illustrates three cases to understand the diversity of gig platforms. It included ride-hailing drivers, food delivery workers and freelance digital designers. The study results highlight the dangers associated with gig work and underscore the need to protect gig workers from institutional risks, inadequate health insurance and platform accountability. Also, it reveals diverse experiences of gig workers, where some workers successfully utilized gig flexibility to balance caregiving and paid employment, while others faced intrusion, unpredictability and role conflict.