Is DoorDashing the Job for You?

By Jacob Chen

So – you need some extra money but no job seems to fit your schedule? Finding an employer who will work with you for the hours YOU need to fit your busy college schedule can be difficult. Fortunately enough with DoorDash you choose your own hours and location of work. But, it’s not all as perfect as it may seem.

What is DoorDash?

DoorDash is a delivery service that makes getting food convenient. Do you want the convenience of food straight to your door without ever needing to leave the house? DoorDash has you covered. DoorDash is a company that sends their employees to various restaurants, chains, and even some convenience and grocery stores to pick up food and deliver food to whoever orders on their app. Simply pay for the food, the delivery service fee, and a tip, and the food will be on its way shortly.

Benefits of Being a Dasher

Being a Dasher with DoorDash has many benefits. For example, you can choose your own hours and where you would like to work. If you can find a bustling city or neighborhood, you’ll be able to find easy jobs right near you early in the day and even late in the evening. Not only can you choose your own hours, but you can also work as many hours as you’d like. If you have a schedule that allows you to work more than 40 hours a week, you are more than free to.

Cons of DoorDashing

As a Dasher, there are some cons to watch out for. For example, you are considered an independent contractor. Being an independent contractor means that you pay all of your taxes at the end of the year. Making sure to set aside a portion of money to pay those taxes later is extremely important, but easily overlooked. Also, being a Dasher doesn’t offer any overtime. Even though the projected average hourly amount in New York is between $22-26/hour, this really depends on how busy the area is, and is also reliant on whether or not you are tipped appropriately if at all.

Becoming a Dasher

Becoming a Dasher is simple. Simply download the app, “DoorDash – Dasher”, put in some basic information about yourself, social security number, and take a photo of your driver’s license. It’s as easy as that, and no prior work experience is necessary. Due to a necessary background check, you will have to wait between 24 hours and a week to start working.

Testimony from an Ex-Dasher

Leah G. from Cornell University says, “I like that I can do it whenever I want, go wherever I want, and doordash with friends. The app is easy to use. Some of the negatives are that it can lead you far away from your starting point. Sometimes it feels sketchy being a young woman and doing this job at night. Sometimes it’s super annoying cause the restaurants are super backed up and that causes me to get poor reviews. We only make a fraction of what the customers are actually paying, which is even more frustrating if the customer doesn’t leave a tip.”

Issues with Gig Work

Although there is the allure of setting your own hours and choosing where to work, it may just be too good to be true. Considering that working for Doordash classifies one as an independent contractor, things like Health Insurance and Dental Insurance are not offered and must be covered by the individual separately. Doordash also has no set wage which may mean making under the minimum wage. This is due to discrepancies with the algorithm, the system that chooses which Dasher gets what order. The organization Human Rights Watch, for example, considers this, along with other “gig work” jobs, a human rights violation.

Whether or not becoming a Dasher is for you really depends on how you weigh the pros and cons and how it fits your lifestyle. If you value setting your own schedule and choosing where you work, it may be a good fit. If you value consistency in work, and a set hourly pay, maybe looking elsewhere is for the best.