Shock Resistant
REPORT

Shock Resistant

clock

02.07.2025 - 04:07

Workforce

Shock Resistant outlines novel insights into the ways that platform workers in the US used platform work as a strategy for mitigating the impacts of the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

The US has recently been hit by two distinct economic shocks that have put pressure on Americans and their families– the spike in unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent spike in the cost of living.

portableText image

In the past, when confronted with these types of crises, Americans have had limited options to make ends meet. Loss of work and living through a period when prices went up and remained high left some Americans experiencing material hardships including not paying all bills and skipping medical care because of the cost. On top of this are the impacts to mental wellbeing.

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing period of elevated inflation was the first time that major economic shocks have occurred when platform work is widely available. These events therefore provide a unique opportunity to examine the impact of platform work on Americans during economic crises.

Using a nationwide survey of platform workers in the US, combined with administrative data from Uber, academic literature, and public datasets, our new report unpacks the ways in which workers interacted with the platform economy to manage the impacts of the pandemic and inflation.

Read the full report here.

Read our latest posts

Prevention pays: Cutting the cost of dental hospitalisations
Health

Prevention pays: Cutting the cost of dental hospitalisations

Outlining the scale, impact and solutions to preventable dental hospitalisations in NSW.

17 Oct, 2025

Unlocking the productivity dividend of digital government in New Zealand
ProductivityDataTechnologyInternationalAI

Unlocking the productivity dividend of digital government in New Zealand

Our latest research in collaboration with Microsoft examines how cloud infrastructure can unlock substantial productivity gains for the New Zealand Government. This study reveals that the Government could unlock $360 million a year in fiscal savings and productivity gains to 2035 through public cloud's efficient use of IT labour and infrastructure. We find that government agencies can reduce their IT budgets by 12 to 25 per cent through 2035, while delivering enhanced cybersecurity, operational resilience, and service delivery across the public sector.

15 Oct, 2025

Bridging the gap: the opportunity for Australian pension capital in the UK and Europe
SuperannuationCapital MarketsInternational

Bridging the gap: the opportunity for Australian pension capital in the UK and Europe

In partnership with IFM Investors and Super Members Council, Mandala has developed a new report highlighting the growing role of Australia’s pension capital in the United Kingdom and Europe. This builds on the landmark report, 'Going Global: Unlocking the growth potential of Australian pension capital', released earlier this year by the same partnership. The UK and European Union (EU) together represent the second-largest international destination for Australian pension capital after the US.

15 Oct, 2025

Small Business, Big Opportunity: How AI is transforming hiring and unlocking talent
AIWorkforceProductivity

Small Business, Big Opportunity: How AI is transforming hiring and unlocking talent

Our latest research in collaboration with LinkedIn examines how AI-enabled hiring can address persistent workforce challenges facing Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and operationalise a 'skills-first' approach that prioritises a person’s capabilities over traditional proxies such as degrees or past job titles. Through case studies, product examples and data insights, this report shows how a responsible use of AI can open talent pathways, reduce bias in hiring and create a more inclusive future of work.

15 Oct, 2025

Loading...