Why More Workers Are Adopting the Freelance Life
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Why More Workers Are Adopting the Freelance Life
A significant percent of permanent employees envision themselves working as contractors, temps, freelancers or consultants within three years. -
Big Switch
39% of the permanent employees surveyed are considering a move to a contractor, temp, freelance or consultant work arrangement within three years. -
IT-Enabled
68% of the workers said that technology and mobility advances have made it easier to make this transition. -
Lifestyle Choice
68% said the contractor/temp/freelance/consultant environment better fits their lifestyle, and 63% said it will make them better qualified for the future workplace. -
Career Growth
56% of the survey respondents said they think they'll make more money by working this way, and 48% said it will result in greater career growth. -
Transformation in Process
68% of employers predict that by 2025, the majority of the workforce will be contractors, temps, freelancers or consultants. -
Growing Commitment
46% of these employers said they are more committed to building this kind of workforce than they were in the past—up from 18% who made this commitment in 2012. -
Game Plan
89% believe that by 2025, companies that are adept at managing a mix of traditional and contractor/temp/freelance/consultant talent will be most successful. -
Disconnect
64% of the employers surveyed admitted that they struggle to engage their contractor/temp/freelance/consultant talent. -
Legal Hurdles
60% said they face difficulties staying up to date on legal and operational best practices associated with managing this flexible type of workforce. -
Outside Expertise
81% of the employers surveyed said that in order to staff this kind of workforce, they'll need to rely on recruitment and staffing partners.
A significant percent of permanent employees envision themselves working as contractors, temps, freelancers or consultants within three years, according to a recent survey from Randstad US. The resulting "Workplace 2025" report reveals that tech advances—especially those affecting mobility—are making that transition easier. In the process, employees believe they'll make more money, while becoming better qualified for the future workplace. What's more, organizations are growing increasingly receptive to this type of environment, and many of them conclude that it will help them gain a competitive edge. To successfully accommodate these professionals, however, companies will need to overcome challenges in the form of engagement levels and legal and operational complexities. "It goes without saying that any disruptive shift will bring about new challenges for companies as they try to adapt and transform their workforce models," according to the report. "Building and leveraging this approach is, in many ways, a progression in contingent workforce management. … Suddenly, new stakeholders will be involved and will have real impact on the strategy, including IT, finance and operations." More than 3,160 employees and 1,500 hiring decision-makers, influencers and employers took part in the research.