Do you have many gig workers as members? Some chambers have been extremely successful with this group of micro capitalists because they understand that what they need more than anything is access to resources. The chamber can provide those.
It can be an easy sell if you know how to reach them and speak their language. And according to a recent study, they may need chambers more than they know.
In a recent poll by Atticus of 1,000 American gig workers, the research found that “15% have suffered workplace injuries or illnesses, with nearly 90% working through their health issues due to financial pressures.”
The findings detailed the lack of safety nets and growing concerns about long-term job security. For instance, over 80% of injured workers received no compensation or insurance benefits. Many, especially Gen Z and Gen X, paid for treatment themselves. 75% returned to work before fully recovered due to financial pressure. 2% quit due to injuries or illness, with Gen X being significantly more affected.
Why This Matters to Your Community
The gig economy is powered by a variety of independent workers. The diversity of gig work spans career choices from freelance creatives to app-based drivers and consultants. Solopreneurism is a place where many budding businesses begin. It’s also a growing percentage of the population. There are 70.4 million professionals engaged in some form of freelance work in 2025 and more than 90% of US workers would consider freelancing or independent contracting work.
Plus, this trend impacts all generations. The age distribution of freelance workers includes: 15% Gen Z, 45% Millennials, 27% Gen X, and 9% Baby Boomers. Think about the number of millennials in your community. If your community reflects the larger US, nearly half of them are gig workers (either as a primary or secondary job).
And it’s not going away. People aren’t projected to go back to traditional occupations. In fact, the gig economy is projected to grow to 86.5 million workers by 2027, representing over half of the total US workforce. Even physicians are becoming solopreneurs giving up traditional practices and hospital privileges and creating “concierge practices” and medical memberships that operate outside of insurance companies serving a smaller number of patients with greater attention.
It’s no surprise that the instability faced by gig workers can affect local spending and economic stability. When a significant portion of the workforce lacks financial security, it can ripple through local businesses.
The rising interest in gig work arrangements highlights a potential shift in the workforce. Chambers can play a vital role in connecting these individuals with local businesses seeking reliable talent.
What Can the Chamber Do?
When it comes to gig workers there are both large initiatives and small ones that chambers can implement.
Obvious member tier benefits include helping solopreneurs with:
- marketing
- discounts
- networking for clients and partners
- office/meeting space
- education—hosting workshops on subjects like access to affordable healthcare and financial planning.
- access to resources—like templates, legal help, tax assistance, local regulations, etc.
Solopreneurs also have larger concerns. There’s a growing desire for unionization and policy reform among gig workers in some industries like ridesharing and personal shopping. That signals a need for dialogue and potential advocacy. Chambers can facilitate these conversations, bringing together businesses, workers, and policymakers.
A lack of understanding regarding workers’ compensation underscores the need for educational initiatives. Chambers can provide resources and workshops to inform both businesses and gig workers about their rights and responsibilities. California, New York City, and Chicago enacted laws on minimum wage requirements and benefits for gig workers.
Additionally, chambers can help gig workers with:
- Advocacy: Chambers can advocate for policies that support a balanced and sustainable gig economy, ensuring fair treatment and opportunities for all workers.
- Business Connections: Chambers can help bridge the gap between gig workers seeking stability and local businesses in need of talent, fostering a stronger local economy.
- Community Building: Chambers can help create forums to bring all parties together to discuss the changing workforce.
Value-Adds
Much of the assistance you can give gig workers is similar to how you might help those in small shops on Main Street. Even though gig workers are in control of their own schedules, they may not be able to attend chamber events. After all, there’s no one covering their workload and when they’re not working, they’re not getting paid. You will have to view them the same way you do your independent shop owners who can’t close the store to attend a lunch and learn.
But there are some things you could do to make your offerings more appealing such as:
- Create an online library of learning where they can access all your lunch and learn content. They might not be able to attend on your schedule but can still benefit from the learning on theirs.
- Send an advocacy alert if there is legislation regarding something that would impact them. Many solopreneurs are not plugged into what’s going on at the state house.
- Facilitating introductions for them. If you hear of a business that’s looking for freelancers, give them a heads-up or introduction.
- Make sure they know about what you offer. Don’t hit them with a blanket of benefits. Tailor your communication to how it will benefit them specifically.
Creating a tier for gig employees may not be the thing for every chamber, especially if those gig employees are rideshare drivers and food delivery people. But for other types of freelancers and consultants, it could be an excellent fit. Some solopreneurs will remain on their own, but others will become larger business owners someday.
By understanding the challenges and opportunities presented by the gig economy, chambers can play a crucial role in supporting a thriving and equitable local business environment.
