Having perks at a job is always a good thing. Some jobs have special perks that other jobs don't have. Some of the more common perks employers offer their employees are paid time off, health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, vision, retirement benefits, disability, etc. Some companies offer additional perks such as paid maternity, tuition reimbursement, gym membership, stock options, childcare assistance and much more.
As Doordash drivers, we don't have an employer as we are independent contractors. We don't have most of the company benefits that are offered to employees of companies. We are on our own for almost everything, but we do have a benefit that most others can only dream about.
A flexible schedule is the best perk a worker can have
Although opinions may vary, to me being able to work whenever you want is the greatest perk of all perks. There's no certain time that you have to be at work. There's no time that you have to punch out. You can work whenever you want.
I remember the days of having to wake up to my alarm clock at 5:30 a.m. so that I could be at work at 7 a.m. It was very difficult getting up in the morning sometimes. I was always in a rush to work and always felt the pressure of getting there on time. I had to make it on time if I didn't want to hear anything from my supervisor. I didn't like the feeling that if I was late too often I could get written up or eventually fired. I never liked anybody having that control over my life. The alarm clock life may be for some people, but it wasn't for me.
I eventually moved on to my own business ventures and entrepreneurship became my life. I'm not going to get into my business ventures and will focus only on Doordash here, but I will say that I have made a decent living for the past couple of decades as an entrepreneur. I haven't had what people would call a regular job for a very long time.
Doordash drivers get to enjoy the flexibility in their work schedule that lots of employees of major corporations do not have. It wasn't long ago when such flexibility was almost non-existence. These gig jobs sure changed all of that. A great thing about these gig jobs is that they don't just bring in extra money. What I mean is that a full time Doordash driver can make a decent living dashing while enjoying their flexible schedule.
A Dasher can work long hours for two full weeks while making big money and relax the next two weeks if they want. I would like to see an employee of a company try that. Their boss would laugh in their face and then fire them. A Dasher can take a vacation whenever they want. There's no need to ask your boss for permission the way a child would ask their parents. As a Doordash driver, you are the boss and make all the decisions. Make good decisions and reap the rewards. Make bad decisions and suffer the consequences.
As a Doordash driver you can change your work shift anytime you want
If you've been working days, but something has come up in your life that will start to occupy your days, you can easily change your work shift to the swing shift or the graveyard shift. No need to talk to a supervisor and ask if they can change your shift.
I remember that feeling of having someone else control certain aspects of my life. It was not a good feeling. What if they said no we cannot do that? Then you're in a predicament and the pressures of life sink in as you have to decide what you're going to do.
Isn't Doordash a terrible job though?
If you are a lawyer or a doctor making $150,000 or more per year with major perks and benefits then yes, Doordash may be a terrible job. If you are the cashier at your local gas station, work at a fast food restaurant or at Walmart, then no, Doordash is not a terrible job.
Your average full time Doordash driver earns $40,000 to $50,000 per year. This is after business expenses such as gasoline, etc. Sure, working as a Dasher alone will not make someone a millionaire, but they will earn a decent livable wage; especially for what they do.
Delivering food is not difficult work to do. The most difficult part of the job may be boredom after doing it for such a long time. When this happens, it's nice to know that you can take days off of work when you want to rejuvenate yourself. Again, the beauty of having a flexible schedule.
I'll say this, for most people, especially young people, Doordash should be a job that is done while pursuing your passion or career. Years down the line, if things don't work out with your passion or career, at least you will still have Doordash to provide food, shelter and the other necessities you need in life.
You can then move on to new goals to pursue if you wish. As a Dasher, there wont be a financial struggle in your life. You'll never have to worry about going on welfare or not providing for yourself or your family.
Giving up the flexibility of Doordash for another job
If a Dasher was offered a job that paid 100K per year with medical, dental, vision, retirement, etc., most would be foolish not to take it. Yep, even if that job had a work schedule. I believe flexibility is the number one perk, but it wouldn't be very smart to deny a great career job that can take good care of you and your family for your precious flexibility. It would be a sacrifice, but it should be done for the benefit of the good.
I said most would be foolish to not take the 100K per year job; not all. It would depend on the individuals life and situation. For example, I would not take it due to my obligations as a business owner and entrepreneur. Doordash is a side thing for me, and I love the flexibility that comes with it. I'm sure that there are others that would not take the 100K per year job for whatever their reasons were. Again though, I think for most people, not taking the 100K job would be foolish; especially if the sole reason is losing their flexible schedule.
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