Side Hustle Safety: 3 Industries That Put Women At Risk

In the gig economy, many women work multiple jobs out of both need and convenience, following the ebbs and flows of different industries to keep ourselves afloat. Sometimes, this is actually preferable to having a single full-time job; it offers flexibility and variety that the old model couldn’t. On the other hand, many corners of the gig economy are downright dangerous, particularly for women.

What do women have to look out for when searching for that perfect, part-time role? Avoid jobs in these 3 industries known for their health and safety hazards.

Driven To The Edge

Uber has been in the news frequently lately due to reports of sexism at headquarters, but that’s not the only place where the on-demand transit industry has a problem – rather, across the board, Uber and Lyft drivers working with passengers on the ground run the biggest risk.

Concerns about assault affect male and female drivers, but women certainly face unique issues around sexual harassment and assault as drivers. In response, many won’t pick people up from bars even though that’s one of the easiest ways to have a good night financially. It’s a tough line to walk.

Considering the fact that Lyft and Uber drivers typically can’t be hired unless they have a good quality car, many women take out auto loans to get this risky job – and then can’t make the payments because we’re endangered working high profit areas. This can permanently harm your credit, just adding to the reasons to skip this side hustle.

Bad For Your Health

Care jobs are a core example of feminized labor – challenging, emotionally and physically taxing, and poorly paid – and with an aging populace, home health aids are in greater demand than ever before. And unfortunately, home health aids face many of the same risks as hospital nurses, such an injuries caused by lifting patients and standing for long periods, they face additional dangers resulting from isolated working conditions.

Home health aids are often alone with their patients, and the fact that someone needs in-home medical care doesn’t mean that they’re harmless. Rather, home health aids often face physical and sexual assault with no one there to testify to it.

Cleaning Up Is Dirty Work

Finally, websites like Care.com and others that thrive on the gig economy make it easy for women to pick up housekeeping jobs part time – but do you really want that cleaning gig? Many women who work as housekeepers acquire back injuries from bending and lifting. Sure, maybe you can flip your mattress every few months, but if you’re moving a client’s furniture on a regular basis, you’re going to have problems.

The gig economy isn’t all bad, but we need to be careful when seeking part-time working. There are many opportunities out there for women seeking a side hustle, but they aren’t worth it if they’ll compromise your mental and physical well-being.