In light of the pandemic, the Great Resignation, supply chain disruptions and growing uncertainty across industries, organizations are increasingly in search of ways to navigate this new landscape successfully. One of the major rising trends involves leveraging contract workers to keep productivity and performance high — and while this solution was originally an outcome of workplace challenges, the growth of contract workers is only expected to continue.
Read on to learn more about the expansion of contract workers in recent years, as well as the benefits your organization can see by utilizing them effectively.
The expansion of the temporary workforce
As workers began to leave their organizations in droves amid the Great Resignation, many businesses started introducing valuable contract workers to fill open positions without bearing the expense of a full-time employee. In fact, Harvard Business School researchers found that 90% of companies are already moving to a blend of full-time and freelance employees, per a report from Forbes.
Not only can this expansion be attributed to a changing workplace landscape, but also as a result of shifting desires from the workforce as well. Professionals are increasingly in search of greater flexibility, more control over their career path and opportunities that keep them engaged and motivated — which contract work is more likely to satisfy.
Not only can this expansion be attributed to a changing workplace landscape, but also as a result of shifting desires from the workforce as well. Professionals are increasingly in search of greater flexibility, more control over their career path and opportunities that keep them engaged and motivated — which contract work is more likely to satisfy.
How can organizations benefit from utilizing contract workers?
The trend of hiring contract employees has helped organizations experience a host of benefits from leveraging this talent. The top advantages of introducing freelance workers into your workplace include:
- Reduced labor costs: Because contract workers are a temporary solution, they don’t require an annual salary. They can also help organizations cut down on costs associated with onboarding, employee benefits and initial training.
- Shorter time-to-hire: The hiring process for freelance employees is typically much faster than hiring traditional candidates because companies are looking for technical skills and experience — which can save valuable time in the long run.
- Bringing in new perspectives: Because of their unique qualifications and backgrounds, leveraging contract workers is an effective way to introduce fresh perspectives as a company outsider. This can help your teams across the corporate ladder consider new ideas and improve your overall diversity.
- Providing niche skills and experience: Freelance employees typically have a very specific skill set they’ve honed over their working years, which are necessary for niche projects you might encounter.
- Improving your organizational flexibility: While workers search for flexible work, organizations are implementing ways to increase their flexibility as well. Introducing contract workers can help your organization stay agile in the face of change, with the ability to meet variable demand as needed.
The future of contract work and your organization
While organizations continue to navigate an unprecedented work environment and employees pursue greater flexibility, it’s clear the future of contract work is bright and likely enduring. According to an analysis from LinkedIn, contract workers are highly educated, skilled and ambitious — making them a significant advantage for any business. Their skills, in combination with the benefits they’re able to provide, make them a valuable resource that will be hard to overlook moving forward.
If your organization is looking for staffing support when businesses need it most, Integrity Staffing Services can help. Contact us today to get in touch.