[gruez]

>There is significant evidence that long term unemployment REALLY hurts someone's hiring chances when applying for a job (see https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2013/04/co.... from 2013 with linked papers).

But in the study linked, they're really testing whether a resume gap hurts your chances of getting hired. I'm skeptical that it would translate the same to gig economy job, given you can't ask them for a reference, nor is there any indication of how much you worked (did you work 40 hour weeks? a few hours a week?), or how reliable/timely you were.

[sudosysgen]

This is a good point. Gig work is unfalsifiable and worth as much as a blank period to an employer trying to see if you are a good fit.

Hell, you could lie and say that you were an Uber driver and there is literally no way for this to be verified.

[emiliobumachar]

People exist who are uncomfortable blatantly lying even if they can easily get away with it, and they tend to be good employees compared to the alternative, depending on the job specifics. Real gig work as a resume filling removes their disadvantage.