Harsh US labor market forces former Mastercard senior to resort to Uber Eats delivery driver

Jay Mandel, a marketing expert who previously served as vice president of global social media at Mastercard and worked for large organizations including IBM, has been forced to become a “slashie” with multiple jobs, working as a marketing consultant, university lecturer, and now an Uber Eats delivery driver in New York City.

Mandel, now 48, worked at Mastercard for eight years, according to Business Insider.With a master's degree from Columbia University, he seems to be the typical New York elite in terms of both education and work experience.

However, his income has plummeted as he has become unemployed in recent years, plunging him into unprecedented financial difficulties.

"This income is not enough to support myself because I am raising funds to start my own company," he frankly admitted.

Mandel's therapist suggested he try working as a food delivery driver, not out of financial necessity. "My therapist thought that seeing the lives of different social classes would help me," he said. 

He began delivering food on the streets of New York last October, which became his lifesaver through financial difficulties. 

He now typically earns several hundred dollars a week from food delivery, enough to afford a decent weekend with his children, like a nice meal out. 

The US unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in December, and the November rate was revised down from a four-year high of 4.6 percent to 4.5 percent. Yet Mandel believes that official unemployment data doesn't capture people who do gig work like him. 

"Many of my friends are in similar situations. I don't view my employment situation as a result of my actions. Whether it's Uber Eats or teaching as an adjunct, this is part of a large system over which I have no control,” Mandel said.