'Delivered' lives

mishaps in the journey of an app delivery woman

Abstract

Context of the case: The case reports on the difficulties faced by Maria, a black woman and single mother from the outskirts of Recife/PE, when deciding on her career in the context of transformations in the world of work. With labor deregulations and the advance of technology, more flexible and informal work options have emerged, such as delivery platforms mediated by algorithms. Maria initially finds app-based work advantageous, but after a serious accident and a lack of support from her company, she begins to question this choice.

Case dilemma: Maria needs to decide whether to (i) continue working informally as an app delivery person or (ii) take a formal, salaried job in her field of training.

Objective of the case: This case aims to encourage students to critically analyze the new morphology of work, including the implications of algorithmic control and surveillance on platforms, as well as the intersections of gender and race that affect workers in peripheral contexts. The case seeks to develop an understanding of the social and labor complexities present in the new forms of work. It is recommended for application in Administration, Public Management and Human Resources courses, in subjects such as People Management, Labor Law, Labor Relations, Decision Making and Career Planning.