Sentiments Toward Student Loan Proposals and the Gig Economy Workforce

Washington, DC, June 13, 2019 – In a new study examining main voter issues for the 2020 election, Ipsos/Newsy finds that 7 in 10 registered voters believe gig economy workers, or those with less traditional or short-term jobs, should be extended the same rights as those with more traditional employment (71%). Support is even higher among gig economy workers (87%). Voters also believe that while gig employment is needed to keep costs low for employers (59%), there are not enough legal protections for such workers (67%). Of a list of legal protections that currently do not apply to gig employment, voters are most supportive of extending protections against workplace discrimination (85%), child labor standards (82%), and overtime pay (78%) to gig economy workers. Support for these protections is particularly high among baby boomer voters, with almost 9 in 10 supporting both protections against workplace discrimination and child labor standards (88% for both). Top policy priorities among gig economy workers are the same - though support for union membership is higher compared to voters (64% for gig economy workers vs. 54% for voters). 

About the Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted May 8-13, 2019. For the survey, a sample of roughly 2,008 adults 18+ from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii were interviewed online in English. The sample includes 1,640 registered voters, 469 millennial registered voters (ages 18-38), 428 Generation X registered voters (ages 39-54), and 743 baby boomer registered voters (ages 55+). The sample also includes 1,090 Democrats and Independents, 900 Democratic and Independent registered voters, 247 Democratic and Independent millennial registered voters, 231 Democratic and Independent Generation X registered voters, 422 Democratic and Independent baby boomer registered voters, 722 adults who borrowed money for education, 667 registered voters who borrowed money for education, 268 millennial registered voters who borrowed money for education, 199 Generation X registered voters who borrowed money for education, 200 baby boomer registered voters who borrowed money for education, and 247 gig economy workers.

The sample for this study was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel (see link below for more info on “Access Panels and Recruitment”), partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling (see link below for more info on the Ipsos “Ampario Overview” sample method) and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing a sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2013 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education.

Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points for all respondents. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=2,008, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=+/-4.0 percentage points).

The poll also has a credibility interval plus or minus 2.8 percentage points for all registered voters, 5.2 percentage points for millennial registered voters, 5.4 percentage points for Generation X registered voters, 4.1 percentage points for baby boomer registered voters, 3.7 percentage points for Democratic and Independent registered voters, 7.1 percentage points for Democratic and Independent millennial registered voters, 7.4 percentage points for Democratic and Independent Generation X registered voters, 5.4 percentage points for Democratic and Independent baby boomer registered voters, and 7.1 for gig economy workers.

For more information about conducting research intended for public release or Ipsos’ online polling methodology, please visit our Public Opinion Polling and Communication page where you can download our brochure, see our public release protocol, or contact us.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Chris Jackson
Vice President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2011
[email protected]

Mallory Newall
Director, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
+1 202 420-2014
[email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a global independent market research company. Our team of 18,000 across 90 countries serves 5,000 clients and undertakes 70,000 different projects each year. Our polling practice is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

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