How important is the gig economy to the future of work? While there are conflicting views, it’s clear that the gig economy has become more important. Over the last few years, a significantly higher proportion of workers have been seeking freelance opportunities, sometimes to supplement traditional employment, while online platforms have made it easier for people to find this kind of work.
But is the gig economy here to stay? Over the past decade, as the importance of freelancing has expanded, the answer has tended to be “yes.” More recently, however, new research and analyses have questioned the relative importance of the gig economy.
Here are six articles we’ve found that will add to your knowledge of the issues, opportunities, and challenges ahead for participants in the gig economy:
- Is the Gig Economy a Myth? from The Washington Post
A recent study of the labor market called into question whether freelance jobs are becoming a larger percentage of total jobs. A key factor is the definition of alternative types of work vs. traditional jobs. This article explores the debate in detail.
JP Morgan Institute looked at over 5 years of checking account information to identify payments received by workers from online platforms such as Uber and TaskRabbit. Their conclusions about how often people are paid, and the level of pay, leads to questions about the long-term viability and importance of the gig economy. This article reports on the findings in more depth.
Although some studies question the future of the gig economy, this article highlights the opinions of 4 experts who believe that it’s here to stay. Gig jobs, while temporary and cyclical, offer a necessary option for workers in today’s economy. In this article, experts share their thoughts on the issues ahead.
- 7 Reasons Why the Gig Economy is a Net Positive from Entrepreneur
Even though there are challenges with the gig economy, it also offers opportunities. This article explains why people gravitate towards gig work and the advantages that the gig economy brings them.
According to Gallup research, 36% of U.S. workers are gig workers. But independent workers and contingent workers represent “a tale of two gig economies.” This article provides a research summary, including recommendations for traditional employers about job design and training that recognize the impact of the gig economy.
Projects in companies are increasingly being done by a combination of full-time and gig workers. What does a manager need to know to manage these kinds of teams? This article provides tips on how to successfully manage in the gig economy.