Beware of “bossware”: The role of communities for gig workers dealing with algorithmic management

This chapter offers exploratory insights into the relationships between gig workers and the digital labour platforms on which they experience algorithmic management, and what role work-related communities play herein. A reflexive thematic analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with twelve platform-mediated gig workers suggests work-related communities were vital for on-the-job successes, career building, and overall wellbeing of platform-mediated gig workers. This is because such groups have the capacity to fill the gaps in communication and work resources that in the context of algorithmically managed labour platforms, and because they help workers learn to resist organizational control and regain financial independence from the platform. While these communities may seem like beneficial grassroot practices, they can unfortunately also be seen as another way that platform organizations continue to exploit gig workers.