Flexibility and Security Should Go Hand in Hand for Independent Workers

When the pandemic hit in 2020, my hours at my call center job were cut. That’s when I turned to DoorDash. What started as a side hustle quickly became a lifeline. Dashing gave me the chance to keep up with bills and, most importantly, to be there for my daughter. This kind of work lets me drop her off and pick her up from school without ever having to ask a boss for permission. That freedom to earn on my own terms is something I will never take for granted.

I love the independence this work provides. On any given weekend, if I need to make ends meet, I can hop in my car, open the app, and start earning right away. That flexibility isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. I’ve had weekends where unexpected expenses came up, and the ability to log in, work hard, and walk away with what I needed allowed me to stay afloat. In a traditional job, I would have had no way to respond so quickly.

But for all the good that comes with this kind of work, there’s also a missing piece: benefits. People like me who choose independent work don’t get access to things like health coverage, retirement savings, or paid leave. That gap leaves too many of us one incident or major expense away from serious hardship. Even for someone like me who manages money carefully, the lack of a safety net creates stress that never really goes away.

That’s why I was grateful to participate in Pennsylvania’s portable benefits pilot. For the first time, I saw a system where I didn’t have to choose between flexibility and security. DoorDash contributed into a benefits account I controlled, helping me plan for things like health care, retirement, or even paid time off. It gave me peace of mind without taking away the freedom that makes this work possible. That combination, flexibility plus security, is exactly what workers like me have been asking for.

We need more of that. Independent workers like me aren’t asking for special treatment; we’re asking for modern solutions that reflect how people actually work today. Portable benefits are a commonsense step forward. They respect the way we choose to work while ensuring we can prepare for the future. Whether someone is dashing in Pennsylvania, driving in Wisconsin, or shopping for groceries in Georgia, they deserve the same chance to earn with independence and plan with confidence.

I’m proud to be a Dasher, and I want to keep serving my community with the independence I value. I enjoy bringing meals to families, groceries to seniors, and peace of mind to people who can’t leave their homes. That work matters, and it’s powered by people like me who rely on the freedom to log in and out when it fits our lives. But it’s time for leaders to act so workers like me don’t have to sacrifice stability for flexibility. We deserve both. Portable benefits prove we can have them, and now it’s time to make them permanent.