Independent contracting and zero hours contracts are popular topics for many articles and reports today, as well as the subject matter for various government and other investigations – with Sports Direct often cited as a good (read bad!) example. In this blog Anne-Marie flags some of the employment issues relates to this flexible approach to work – and I agree that these should definitely not be ignored. With figures like the fact that 40% of the US population will be independent contractors by 2020 (and that’s only 4 years away!), understanding and making this approach work for everyone concerned seems to be more important than ever. To achieve the positive feedback Anne-Marie mentions at the end of her blog some firms must be getting it right – I guess it all comes down to getting the right gig!
Rather like Brexit (a word you never thought you would use so often), the ‘gig economy’ will be one of those phrases you will start to hear over and over again. It comes from the US (natch!) and describes the arrangements whereby independent contractors take on a series of short-term projects to suit their financial and lifestyle commitments – hence moving from ‘gig’ to ‘gig’. It is a spectrum away from the solid ‘9-5 with benefits’ jobs that the majority of us work. However, it is estimated that by 2020 around 40% of the US population will be working as independent contractors.
Katy Davis
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