Today 55 million Americans are working as freelancers. That’s 35 per cent of the US workforce. By 2020 it’s predicted that this proportion will increase to more than 40 per cent of Americans.
Why the huge rise in freelance economy?
The internet has a lot to do with it. Now that it’s so easy for freelancers to showcase themselves and find work online regardless of the country they’re in, why tie yourself down to one company or one place?
With disappearing employment rights and a decline in perks such as benefit pension schemes, fixed employment isn’t so attractive anymore, either.
The so-called ‘Gig Economy’ is thriving, with freelance workers earning an estimated $1trn in 2016. The opportunity to promote yourself is also becoming easier – brand building is no longer exclusively for big name players.
And it’s not just the workers reap the benefits. A flexible workforce has been largely responsible for the startup explosion in the last decade, employers are now gaining entry to a larger, more diverse, global pool of talent.
How do we adapt?
We’re all still getting to grips with this new, independent way of working and it’s not without its difficulties.
Being an independent contractor or a freelancer means sacrificing certain securities and facing the world all alone. For employers, it’s hard to find freelancers they can trust and who will stay loyal to their company.
So what’s being done to create a secure place for the curious world of freelance?
Platforms for finding talent
Co-working spaces
New opportunities for skilled independent contractors
New opportunities for creative freelancers
Platforms like these help to mitigate the risks of independent working. And why not? For some people independent working is the best option out there. Here’s to a more flexible future.
Holly Eustance
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