Part 3/10:
This income is barely sufficient to cover essentials like rent, groceries, and allowances to family members, leaving little room for savings or retirement planning. James expressed frustration about the unpredictability of income and the lack of security, contemplating returning to his previous career or seeking full-time employment outside the gig economy.
The Algorithm: Gatekeeper and Incentive Driver
The platform’s tier system operates much like a video game, with riders progressing through levels such as Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Diamond based on customer ratings and cancellation rates. Higher tiers unlock better shift allocations and incentives, but progress is contingent on maintaining low cancellation rates and high performance.