Ever dream of having the flexibility to work wherever you want? Working less, but getting paid more? Setting your own hours? Ultimately being your own boss?
Who doesn’t like the sound of that?
Thanks to free communication channels and globalised networks, this dream has become an achievable reality for the fast growing ‘Gig Economy,’ which is comprised of up to 20-30% of the working population or 162m people worldwide.
The ‘gig’ workers – often referred to as consultants, contractors, freelancers or temp workers – are ultimately changing the corporate landscape and how we work. Companies can now much more easily hire non-permanent employees on an as-needed basis, while gig workers are enjoying the freedom, flexibility and work life balance they crave. Everyone wins.
Well, maybe not everyone. Gig workers do lack healthcare benefits and job security, and a small percentage would prefer a traditional job, but haven’t found the right role. But even with these drawbacks, 40% of the workforce will be freelancers, independent contractors, and ‘solopreneurs’ by 2020. This statistic alone speaks volumes about the impact the gig economy is sure to have on the workplace of the future.