More internship than career: What clickworkers need to know

Remote employers offer so-called 'clickwork' from home. In some cases, you can be asked to check the performance of computers. In other cases, you're tasked with writing or translating texts, processing images or even programming. — dpa

Make big money from the comfort of your own home with a few clicks: This is what some Internet platforms promise so-called clickworkers.

In some cases, they're asked to check the performance of computers. In other cases, they're tasked with writing or translating texts, processing images or even programming. The tasks are varied and often somewhat monotonous.

But can you live off it?

Probably not, says Christian Papsdorf, an expert in technology sociology at the Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany. "It's relatively difficult to generate a decent income."

There are also some other problems. Depending on where you reside, you may also have to keep the legal situation in mind. Many issues that are usually straightened out in a regular employment contract may often be left unaddressed, including occupational health and safety, accident insurance or ergonomics at the workplace.

"The platforms are fine because they only see themselves as mediators," says Papsdorf. "And the clients don't consider themselves to be under any obligation either." Many of them consider clickworkers to be self-employed – even if this isn't necessarily true in practice.

In addition, clickworkers and crowdworkers often become highly dependent on the platforms: "If, for example, the terms and conditions change, you can either accept that or not," says Papsdorf. You don't get to have a say in this matter. "And in disputes over money or copyright issues for work done, clickworkers are often left on their own.”

However, working as a clickworker can still be worthwhile if you're unsure about whether this line of business is right for you. But don't make it a permanent career choice, Papsdorf says.

Clickworkers should see the jobs as a series of mini-internships to get a sense of the industry or close the gap between two real jobs. This is often the case in practice. "This kind of work is often a transitional thing," says Papsdorf. "After graduating from university or parental leave, for example." — dpa