Dive Brief:
- About one in four American employees are freelancing in some way, according to new info from the Staples Advantage Workplace Index.
- Since many freelancers remain independent for the flexibility (37%), the ability to make more money (39%) and work-life balance (32%), businesses need to align those expectations with the proper workplace strategies, such as balancing the right mix of face-to-face interaction, considering safety concerns, and managing expenses for supplies.
- It’s easier than ever to access a pool of freelancers, as the necessary business collaboration tech has improved and become more mainstream.
Dive Insight:
Even as the contractor vs. employee debate rages on, employers should be careful to pay attention to the needs of their freelancers, as they will undoubtedly differ from the needs of their full-time employees.
For instance, IT departments will need to be prepped to handle either providing extra equipment to freelancers, or incorporating the personal devices of freelancers who bring their own.
If anything, the data shows that both companies and freelancers have an interest in working with one another, as companies can use freelancers to “streamline in-house operations,” Pat Griffin, enterprise account executive at HourlyNerd, said in a press release.
