Platform work
Platform work is the matching of demand and supply of paid work through an online platform using an algorithm. Three parties are involved in the matching process: the client demanding work, the platform which manages the algorithm and the person who provides the work through the platform. It is work based on the performance of individual tasks or projects rather than a continuous employment relationship. A larger task is usually divided up into smaller subtasks, or ‘micro tasks’, that are independent, homogenous and contribute to producing a specific output. These tasks are carried out separately, resulting in a widespread, even global, division of tasks.
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30 May 2025
4 April 2025
February 2026
As the digital revolution unfolds, the rapid advancement of AI and algorithmic management technologies is poised to profoundly transform the world of work and employment. Building on Eurofound's established conceptual framework, which identifies automation, digitisation and platforms as key drivers of change, this research paper explores AI and algorithmic management as transformative forces shaping the future of work. Drawing on two extensive literature reviews, this research examines the far-reaching implications of AI and algorithmic management on work and employment.
About Platform work
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Highlights for Platform work
This is a selection of the most important outputs for this topic.
15 May 2023
Gender differences in motivation to engage in platform work
The rise of the platform economy during the last decade is one of the main disrupting forces for European labour markets. While standard employment remains the norm, platforms are expanding their reach and diversifying into novel business models. In doing so, they are also attracting an increasing number of women. This policy brief investigates why women are joining the platform economy and how the motivations to perform work on platforms differ between genders. It shows that while women join platforms to gain an additional income and because it allows them the flexibility to combine work with household chores or family commitments, men are driven by the opportunities provided by platforms to work globally and to expand their client base. At the same time, findings suggest that online platforms seem to provide women with a link to the labour market that can potentially prevent their withdrawal from the labour force during different life stages. These findings suggest that policy action should focus on extending working hours regulations and work–life balance measures to all platform workers, irrespective of employment status, and promote equal sharing of care responsibilities between women and men.
27 September 2022
Regulating platform work in Europe: A work in progress
15 December 2021
The digital age: Implications of automation, digitisation and platforms for work and employment
Technological change is accelerating as the capacity of electronic devices to digitally store, process and communicate information expands. Digitalisation is transforming the EU economy and labour markets: nearly one-third of EU workplaces are categorised as highly digitalised. What are the implications of the digital revolution for employment and work? And how might it affect social dialogue?
Eurofound has produced a body of work to explore these questions. The work is structured around three vectors of change in digitalisation – automation, digitisation and platforms – that are affecting employment and working conditions and social dialogue. The main results of this research have been compiled in the online resource The digital age: Automation, digitisation and platforms. This report draws from that resource to provide a digest of the findings and policy pointers.
2 December 2021
Initiatives to improve conditions for platform workers: Aims, methods, strengths and weaknesses
The rapid rise of the platform economy has led to a marked transformation of European labour markets, and existing regulatory frameworks and voluntary initiatives have yet to catch up. While platform work offers opportunities for workers and employers and potentially contributes to innovation, economic growth and competitiveness in the EU, it has been criticised from the beginning because of the poor employment and working conditions often experienced by workers. Accordingly, across the EU, governments, social partners, grassroots organisations and platforms have started to introduce initiatives to tackle the negative aspects of platform work. This policy brief assesses some such initiatives in the Member States and offers recommendations for further action.
24 February 2021
Charting a positive path for platform workers
15 December 2020
New forms of employment: 2020 update
Although standard employment (generally full-time and permanent) remains the dominant employment type across the EU, European labour markets are increasingly characterised by a variety of different forms. These new forms of employment involve new formal employment relationships or work patterns (linked to aspects such as place of work, working time or use of ICT) and sometimes both. This report puts the spotlight on nine innovative employment forms across the 27 EU Member States, Norway and the UK. It examines the policy frameworks of each country, as well as mapping the scale and scope of the incidence of these new forms and highlighting the main opportunities and risks associated with each form. The report concludes with some policy recommendations taking into account the future of work that will be shaped by the twin transition to the digital age and a carbon-neutral economy, as well as a new way of working due to COVID-19.
Experts on Platform work
Researchers at Eurofound provide expert insights and can be contacted for questions or media requests.
Cesira Urzi Brancati
Research officerCesira Urzi Brancati is a research officer in the Employment unit at Eurofound. Her research interests include the impact of technology on employment and the digitalisation of work, with a focus on digital labour platforms, digital surveillance and algorithmic management. She specialises in microeconometrics, questionnaire design and survey data analysis. Before joining Eurofound in 2024, Cesira worked at the European Commission Joint Research Centre in Seville, at the International Longevity Centre in London, at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and at the University of Turin. She holds a Master’s degree and a PhD in International Economics from the University of Tor Vergata, in Rome.
Dragoș Adăscăliței
Research officerDragoș Adăscăliței is a research officer in the Employment unit at Eurofound. His current research focuses on topics related to the future of work, including the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, the consequences of automation for employment and regulatory issues surrounding the platform economy. He is also a regular contributor to comparative projects monitoring structural changes in European labour markets. Prior to joining Eurofound, he was a lecturer in Employment Relations at the University of Sheffield, Management School. He holds an MA in Political Science from Central European University and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Mannheim.
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