The accelerated development of the digital economy and the innovation of employment patterns have led to the gradual emergence of the issue of diversifi cation of laborers' values, which has sparked scholars' thinking on the work values of fl exible employment laborers. Based on in-depth interviews with 53 delivery riders, this study explored the changes in their work value orientations from the perspective of Cognitive Dissonance Theory, providing reference for promoting decent work for the new employment group. This study found that there are signifi cant differences between the work values of delivery riders and those of traditional formal employment groups, and the work values of delivery riders are characterized by two dimensions livelihood and development. In terms of priority, delivery riders place more emphasis on work autonomy, income fairness, and career development. In terms of specifi c content, the work values of delivery riders include new elements such as time freedom and personal freedom, refl ecting the trend of the transformation of work values towards "postmodern values". It is suggested in this study that the policymaking, platform management, and union work should pay attention to the stage characteristics of delivery riders' work values, innovate the payment period and location of pension insurance based on the characteristics of fl exible employment, explore the implementation of fragmented social security payment methods, and provide convenient claims services to create a fl exible and safe working environment for laborers.