Upwork Newswire: Nearly 40% of U.S. Workers Prefer Gig Work

This biweekly column features the latest freelancing trends and Upwork’s role within them.

SHRM | Nearly 40% of U.S. Workers Prefer Gig Work

Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), a staffing advisory firm, released their research results on the size and scope of the contingent workforce in the United States. They found 37 percent of U.S. workers would prefer to work outside of the traditional, salaried 40-hour workweek.

For many, contingent work is a popular option. Currently, close to one-third of America’s workforce freelances, which total nearly $1 trillion in earnings.

SIA defined contingent work as anyone working on a temporary basis, including workers identified as:

• Temporary workers assigned through a staffing agency.
• Workers managed through an online platform.
• Independent contractors.
• Self-employed workers.
• Temporary employees sourced directly, including summer interns and seasonal workers.
• Statement of work consultants employed by consulting firms.

“At close to $800 billion, gig and contingent work is a very large sector of the economy, on par with areas that get much more scrutiny and understanding,” said Barry Asin, president of SIA.

About 6.4 percent of the U.S. workforce find contract work through web or app-based platforms such as Uber, Upwork or Freelancer. Nearly seven in 10 surveyed said they moonlight (perform work outside of their primary work) to supplement their income.

Click here for a breakdown of contingent workers per category >>

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