APRIL 2016 • Volume 12 • Issue 04 Musicians aren’t the only ones who get gigs 7 Freelancer, independent contractor, solo entrepreneur, on-call worker, temp, moonlighter: whatever label you apply, the population that is working gig-to-gig is larger and growing faster than you may think. According to “Freelancing in America: 2015,” a joint study sponsored by the Freelancers Union and the online freelance networking site, Upwork, approximately 54 million Americans now work in some sort of freelance capacity, whether as their primary means of income or to supplement a traditional, on-staff job. In fact the growth in this area of employment is becoming so large that, for the first time since 2005, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced in January that it will be teaming up with the Census Bureau next year to survey what the BLS calls “contingent workers”— those that do not have consistent, ongoing work with an employer--in order to get a handle on the size and scope of this population. The broad spectrum of industries that fall under the umbrella of “freelance” explains why so many people can be counted in this group, from artists to attorneys to manufacturing labor. Caitlin Pierce, Director of Member Engagement at the Freelancers Union, explains that “about 50% of our members are in the creative fields, such as writers and designers. But the other half ranges from CPA’s, nannies, yoga teachers and so forth.” Elliot Elzweig, President of Active Staffing Services, has observed that, “A lot of temps like to temp because they’re students…and millennials seem to look at it as a means to their next job.” The benefit of engaging freelance talent works for employers as well. “If you’re a manufacturer,” Elzweig explained, “and you have an order for 10,000 items, once the order has shipped you don’t need that staff any longer. You keep your core group of trained people and supplement with a temp crew.” Pierce added, “A lot of bigger companies have a large freelance base, particularly in the corporate sector. Growth is being driven by a lot of shift in how companies work more efficiently and see cost savings.” Caroline Peterson provides the perspective of this growing economy from the entrepreneur’s point of view. Founder of Gallery Design Studio, Peterson left the traditional corporate world to build her own graphic arts business. Her transition actually happened a little sooner in her career than she had anticipated. Reflecting the growing corporate demand for freelancers, Peterson said, “I knew I eventually wanted to be self-employed, and then I began realizing that a lot of companies wanted to subcontract me rather than hire me full time.” As corporations reach out more frequently to the growing freelance workforce, Peterson offers a useful tip to employers that would benefit both hiring managers and freelancers. “Companies should check portfolios. Sometimes the company expects one thing and the freelancer is adept at another. It would save time if they matched better to a specific job.” Like so many of her fellow independents, Peterson faces challenges in getting paid. “It’s a constant chase,” she said, “and I have to follow up on a regular basis.” Pierce echoed this sentiment, pointing out that one of the union’s current initiatives is “Freelance Isn’t Free.” “Seventy-one percent of our members have experienced a problem in getting paid,” she explained, a number that has driven the union to work with the New York City Council to pass legislation that would hold companies liable if they do not pay their freelancers in full and in a timely fashion. In spite of compensation issues, the pros of working independently outweigh the cons for the majority of freelancers. Pierce cited the Freelancing in America study: “Sixty percent of freelancers are choosing freelancing,” she said, a statistic that grew from 53% over just the previous year. As Peterson summed up, “I love what I do, so no, I don’t foresee going back…I like to have the diversity and I have a lot more freedom.”
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