seamlessness definition
seamlessness of labor platforms means that important communica- tions with clients are sometimes glossed over, a fact that can place workers in vulnerable situations. The power dynamics of these service interactions are also heightened when racial bias comes into play. Mike, a black man in his 30s in New York, works full-time doing housecleaning work through Handy. However, clients on Handy often schedule cleanings at times when they are not home, or they forget that they left the app setting on for recur- ring cleaning. In one instance, Mike had shown up for a recurring clean- ing, and had let himself into the client’s unlocked apartment, as was his agreed-upon routine. Midway through, his client’s roommate, who had recently returned from abroad, arrived home and was confused to find Mike, a stranger, in his home. Mike was unable to contact the client through the app to clear up the situation and was left to explain the situation, and his presence, to the roommate on his own. While Mike was able to resolve this miscommunication without incident, the scenario highlights the ways Handy’s policies, failing to take factors like racism and power dynamics into account, can place cleaners into potentially uncomfortable or even danger-