Are we moving toward an economy where employers hire freelancers rather than full-time employees?
Yes. According to a recent study by MBO Partners, a company that connects independent workers with employers, our economy will support more freelancers than full-time employees by 2020. And, contrary to popular belief, the slow economy is not the driving force behind this. The study indicates that most freelancers choose to go independent, and the overwhelming majority of them have no plans to return to full-time employment.
The workplace is changing, and this is good news for employers and workers alike. Employers save money by using freelancers because they don’t have to pay for health care benefits, unemployment insurance, or payroll taxes. With more and more professionals opting to go independent, employers can contract with highly experienced workers who are specialists in their fields. Of course, freelancers cannot take the place of full-time employees, who often are vital to the seamless operation of businesses. But, with the rise of experienced freelancers, employers now have greater flexibility in deciding how to structure their workforces.
Freelancing benefits workers, too. Success no longer equates to rising up the ranks of a particular employer. Now, more than ever, individuals seek flexibility in their work and control over the way they do it. While leaving behind a steady paycheck is no easy feat, freelancers can choose to take on as much work as they want and, if successful, earn a good living.
Take Montage Legal Group, for example. Montage attorneys went to prestigious schools, worked for excellent full-service law firms, and possess high levels of expertise in their areas of practice. They chose to leave full-time employment in favor of flexibility, and are now available to firms on a contract basis. Clients who hire Montage attorneys can rest assured that they are getting high value at reasonable rates, and Montage attorneys enjoy the ability to work on high-level projects while pursuing interests and obligations outside of work. When done right, it’s a win/win situation.
Check out the links below to review the study and an article providing more information regarding the benefits of using freelancers and some helpful tips on making your venture into freelancing successful.
http://gigaom.com/2011/12/08/mbo-partners-network-2011/
http://moneyland.time.com/2012/02/17/the-end-of-the-full-time-salaried-job/?iid=pf-main-mostpop1
Amy Hirsh Holtzman is Montage Legal Group’s Lead San Francisco attorney. Amy graduated from UCLA School of Law in 2006, and formerly practiced employment law at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP.