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, 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.