Instacart are forgiving late deliveries and waving
reviews lower than five stars.
Julie Sweder, who has worked part-time for
Shipt for more than three years in Detroit, said
she often has to find substitutes for a third of
items on her orders, requiring more painstaking
communications with clients, especially those
using the service for the first time. But Sweder,
who was made available by Shipt for an
interview, said it is taking fewer jobs to reach her
weekly earnings goal of at least $300 because
the tips are larger and orders are bigger.
WHAT PROTECTIONS ARE GIG WORKERS
GETTING FROM THE VIRUS?
Most delivery apps have introduced a
“contactless delivery,” although the decision is
generally up to the customer, not the worker.
Instacart, Shipt and DoorDash have made “leave
at door” the default setting.
Some companies are working to supply delivery
workers with gloves, sanitizer and masks. But
many workers have yet to receive protective
equipment amid supply constraints. DoorDash
charges a $5 shipment fee for workers who
request supplies.
Most companies are temporarily offering 14
days of financial assistance for workers who
are diagnosed with coronavirus or are placed
in quarantine by health authorities. Instacart
and Shipt workers who have staged walkouts
want the policy expanded to include workers
who are at high risk for contracting the virus
or who exhibit symptoms, citing difficulties in
getting tested.