How has COVID-19 affected the work environment of delivery workers?: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a rapid worldwide increase in the utilization of delivery services. This study delves into the experiences of delivery workers as one of the activley developed industries during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea and sheds light on the effects of the pandemic on t...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290403 |
| _version_ | 1797671913364914176 |
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| author | Jeehee Pyo Eun Jee Park Minsu Ock Won Lee Hye Jin Lee Sungkyoung Choi |
| author_facet | Jeehee Pyo Eun Jee Park Minsu Ock Won Lee Hye Jin Lee Sungkyoung Choi |
| author_sort | Jeehee Pyo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a rapid worldwide increase in the utilization of delivery services. This study delves into the experiences of delivery workers as one of the activley developed industries during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea and sheds light on the effects of the pandemic on their working conditions. Through in-depth interviews with 10 Korean delivery workers, data analysis employed the hermeneutic phenomenology research method developed by Van Manen. The findings indicate a substantial rise in income levels and a positive societal perception of delivery labor post-COVID-19. The pandemic also attracted many new workers to the industry due to low entry barriers and work flexibility. However, challenges persisted as delivery workers grappled with an uncertain legal status and sometimes jeopardized their safety to boost earnings in shorter time frames. The pivotal role played by delivery workers in enhancing communal quality of life and connectivity during the pandemic cannot be overlooked. As we step into a post-COVID-19 era, comprehensive efforts are needed to enhance the working environment for delivery workers globally. Notably, clarifying the relationship between delivery workers and companies within the novel digital labor landscape is essential, alongside establishing institutional frameworks to safeguard workers' basic rights, including health and safety provisions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T21:22:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e3b7aac3d430409d841b7e5f5f7b7927 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T21:22:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-e3b7aac3d430409d841b7e5f5f7b79272023-09-28T05:31:29ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01189e029040310.1371/journal.pone.0290403How has COVID-19 affected the work environment of delivery workers?: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.Jeehee PyoEun Jee ParkMinsu OckWon LeeHye Jin LeeSungkyoung ChoiThe COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a rapid worldwide increase in the utilization of delivery services. This study delves into the experiences of delivery workers as one of the activley developed industries during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea and sheds light on the effects of the pandemic on their working conditions. Through in-depth interviews with 10 Korean delivery workers, data analysis employed the hermeneutic phenomenology research method developed by Van Manen. The findings indicate a substantial rise in income levels and a positive societal perception of delivery labor post-COVID-19. The pandemic also attracted many new workers to the industry due to low entry barriers and work flexibility. However, challenges persisted as delivery workers grappled with an uncertain legal status and sometimes jeopardized their safety to boost earnings in shorter time frames. The pivotal role played by delivery workers in enhancing communal quality of life and connectivity during the pandemic cannot be overlooked. As we step into a post-COVID-19 era, comprehensive efforts are needed to enhance the working environment for delivery workers globally. Notably, clarifying the relationship between delivery workers and companies within the novel digital labor landscape is essential, alongside establishing institutional frameworks to safeguard workers' basic rights, including health and safety provisions.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290403 |
| spellingShingle | Jeehee Pyo Eun Jee Park Minsu Ock Won Lee Hye Jin Lee Sungkyoung Choi How has COVID-19 affected the work environment of delivery workers?: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. PLoS ONE |
| title | How has COVID-19 affected the work environment of delivery workers?: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. |
| title_full | How has COVID-19 affected the work environment of delivery workers?: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. |
| title_fullStr | How has COVID-19 affected the work environment of delivery workers?: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. |
| title_full_unstemmed | How has COVID-19 affected the work environment of delivery workers?: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. |
| title_short | How has COVID-19 affected the work environment of delivery workers?: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. |
| title_sort | how has covid 19 affected the work environment of delivery workers an interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290403 |
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