• 12 May 2021
• Matthew Lowman at pirkx
• 4 minutes read

The New Era of Employment: The Gig Economy

The last year has put a microscopic focus on the way companies, and individuals approach working life

The last year has put a microscopic focus on the way companies, and individuals approach working life. Each week, we’ll be taking a look at the changes you can expect to see within the workplace as a result of that focus- and how you can use these positive developments to your advantage.

This week, it’s something we know very well. The gig economy.

At a time when the world was thrown into chaos, and businesses were forced to radically adjust their ways of working, a considerable shift happened. The rise in gig workers.

The gig economy is defined as a “free market system in which companies look to work with independent contractors or freelancers as opposed to hiring full-time workers”.

In the past, freelancing was thought of as a riskier option for many, who stayed in traditional roles to benefit from consistent pay and greater job security. But now the gig economy has seen a resurgence in popularity, not only from those who found their work situation change, but for those who realised they needed to change their work situation for the better.

So how could it work for you?

Gaining flexibility

The overwhelmingly positive reason to take advantage of this shift would be the flexibility that such an opportunity would give you. As we navigate our way out of lockdown, and restrictions ease, many of you are no doubt hesitant to give up some of the benefits that working from home has provided.

Whether it was being able to fit in more family time, or take an extra hour for yourself, the ability to work flexibly throughout this period has appealed to many, and offered them a balance they didn’t know they could have.

Yet the gig economy offers that and more. Not only do you have the power to plan your days, but you can factor in the time off you actually need to keep a healthy balance in your life. Your personal life is no longer dictated by your professional- instead you can live where you want, and work when you want, on your terms.

Giving yourself choices

Ask yourself this- who would you work for if you had a choice? The fact is, you do have a choice. Freelancing means you can work for more than one great company at a time, as well as choosing when it’s time to move on, on your terms. We’ve seen so many individuals flourish as a result of challenging themselves and learning new skills as they work with different companies, something that can stagnate in a permanent role.

And this self-development can happen on any level. If you have a skill that can be utilised in a business, you have an ability to freelance. Whether you’re just starting out, or an executive keen to make the most of your years of experience, there’s never a limit on who freelancing can benefit. You will get exposure to more companies and ways of doing things than ever before! Check out the companies hiring freelancers right now.

Not only this, but your earning potential is hard to ignore, especially when you consider you can do your role anywhere. No more unnecessary (and costly) commutes if you want to avoid them. Perhaps childcare no longer has to be paid for, if you can work to your own schedule. You can earn money anywhere in the world, as long as you have the equipment you need to get the job done. Basically, it’s about giving yourself the choices you haven’t had before.

Taking the first step

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. But there are ways to ensure you are mastering your own working life, by putting certain measures into place. Freelancing is a great way to do just that, even for the short term. Even if you’re in a role right now, you can still try freelancing in your free time, either to boost your portfolio or to gain extra cash.

And if you find freedom and flexibility are key motivators for you, it may well be time to ditch the 9 to 5 for something a little more custom to your needs.