What will the workforce of tomorrow look like? A significant portion will be independent contractors seeking flexibility and enjoyment from their work.
No longer shackled to a traditional office desk living a life built on the 9-to-5 business day, many talented workers are opting to call the shots by becoming independent contractors — a trend that complements the desire of employers who want a more agile workforce.
Welcome to the “gig economy,” where employers’ desire to drive cost savings and efficiencies through temporary labor usage has created a new breed of workers with the desire to maintain an optimal balance of work and life.
5 tips for managing gig workers
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1. understand your needs: Do you have visibility of your talent needs? Without it, you won’t be able to determine the best resource for a particular business need. |
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2. focus on quality: The best talent for a particular position may not be someone seeking a permanent role. Many skilled workers are moving from gig to gig, so the ideal candidate you seek may be the one who stays with your organization for a defined period. |
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3. think outside the box: Just because a position has traditionally been filled by a permanent employee doesn’t mean it needs to continue to be. Contractors may actually deliver better results more cost effectively. Take a hard look at how flexible labor can be used instead of permanent hires to deliver to business objectives. | |
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4. prioritize engagement: As an organization utilizing all types of labor, consider how your employer brand is perceived across your entire employee population. Remember to communicate your employee value proposition to all potential talent. | |
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5. adhere to compliant practices: With greater agility also comes a greater potential for non-compliant practices if not managed carefully. Ensure your contractors don’t work in ways that could potentially blur their status between contractor and employee. | |
About the Randstad Sourceright 2015 Talent Trends Report:
Covering 25 of the most dynamic and pressing issues facing workers and employers right now, and the concerns they have for the future, our subject matter experts explore how these trends will affect organizations, and provide practical tips on how to cope with them.
