Things changed after the elimination of the hourly guaranteed payment:
it used to be very good in Mestre, but the number of riders exponentially increased in Mestre since last two months. Then Glovo started its operations in Venice and people was earning a good amount of money because of the hourly guaranteed payment whether you get order or not, but now is getting a bit of problem… It was good in Venice, but it’s no good now because Glovo quitted the guaranteed payment and there are not orders especially in the morning hours (student-walker Sha).
The binding-flexibility mechanism is particularly evident during “diamond hours”, peak demand periods on the weekends. These hours are non-negotiable, and opting out results in reduced work slots and performance ratings. As one interviewee explained, «Slot management restricts working according to personal schedules. Avoiding weekend work, even for rest, reduces slot availability» (Student-Walker Alh). This condition has been perceived as stressful by some student-walker, especially in initial phase:
I find the initial phase stressful because of the need to constantly monitor the app for slot availability. However, once accustomed to the weekly slot selection process, the stress diminishes. Nonetheless, missing out on slots translates to missed opportunities for orders, and absence during weekends leads to a decline in performance ratings (student-walker Aza).
Despite this condition, Aza remarked on the facilitative aspect of Glovo in enabling a balance between work and study commitments, contrasting with the rigidity of fixed-hour jobs where such balance would be more challenging to attain.
At the beginning, receiving work tools (the bag, powerbank, etc.) free of charge and a 7-euro guaranteed hourly wage were a positive factor for walkers for two reasons: first, the initial cost of the tools was not passed onto them; second, thanks to the minimum hourly wage, workers were less exposed to the performance logic of piecework. The elimination of the guaranteed payment, however, increased the reliance on piecework, reducing earnings and autonomy. As Aza noted, «With the 7-euro hourly rate, I earned 1.000 euros monthly by working five hours daily. Now, I earn a maximum of 700 euros». Another student-walker expressed dissatisfaction: «We sacrifice our social lives, missing out on time with friends and communal meals. Arriving home late means eating alone, which is a significant drawback. Dedicating time to Glovo without adequate financial return and missing out on social activities makes the job less worthwhile» (Student-Walker Sha).
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G. PIRINA