The Winners and Losers in the Gig Economy
In recent years, we’re seeing a major shift in the job market. At one time, the biggest winners in the United States were those who were capable of securing a full-time job.
As you know, there are many great benefits to having a full-time job. They include: a pension, health insurance, workplace injury protections, harassment protection, discrimination protection, employer benefits, sick days, vacation days, and much more. But times are changing and many people are seeking out new types of work with less security and more freedom and meaning to what they do. Enter the gig economy.
Since jobs are disintegrating before our very eyes and many of the big companies and factories are moving overseas to cut corners and save money, it’s no longer easy to secure a full-time job in the United States. But it doesn’t matter because new, fresh, and invigorating opportunities are presenting themselves in the new gig economy.
It’s no longer necessary to receive full-time employment and benefits in order to get by in today’s world. Many people prefer to take advantage of contract opportunities, freelance assignments, and consulting projects. And since independent workers now have health insurance opportunities in the form of the affordable care act, 401(k)s, IRAs and other options, we have recently discovered that a full-time job is no longer a requirement to get by in this lifetime.
We’ll now take a look at the winners and losers in the current gig economy. In a perfect world, nobody would lose, but we unfortunately do not live in Shangri-La or Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
The Winners in the Gig Economy
As you are about to learn, many disenfranchised, marginalized and unskilled workers turn out to be winners in the gig economy. Specialists and people with real experience and deep expertise also end up being winners. Some prime examples include:
- People with disabilities – many people suffering from disabilities often have no available options to acquire gainful employment. Working from home online in the gig economy not only makes it possible for disabled people to work, but it also makes it easy for them to take advantage of employment opportunities in ways that many have never imagined possible.
- Stay-at-home parents – stay-at-home moms and dads had no choice but to keep themselves out of the workforce prior to work from home opportunities existing on the Internet. But now that there are many ways to utilize specialized skills for companies hiring freelancers and consulting experts, many stay-at-home parents now get the best of both worlds. They have the ability to take care of their children and also earn additional income to help support their family.
- Freelance workers – freelance workers are particularly excited about the many opportunities to use their skills while working from home in the new gig economy. These independent workers have the ability to pick and choose assignments, set their own hours, set their own pay scale, and ultimately gain the freedom that comes from working on your own terms. As a freelancer, it’s still necessary to use an online time clock every so often to track your progress, but it’s absolutely worth it in the end to take advantage of this budding opportunity.
- Professionals with deep expertise such as IT specialists – experienced engineers are the winners of the gig economy in the 21st century. Because of their scarcity on the job market, they can choose whether to they want to work independently, project-based or accept a full-time employment. Of course, there is a great barrier to their acceptance to these expert circles. They often have to go through many interviews and testings before securing a gig or a job. If they are true experts, it all pays off.
The Losers of the Gig Economy
Certain groups also find themselves on the short end of the stick in the gig economy. They include:
- Corporate workers – people in these positions no longer find themselves experiencing job security because their services are less in demand. Low-level managers, executive assistants, and other office workers often find their jobs being outsourced or eliminated altogether.
Conclusion
Some highly respected organizations believe that the gig economy will never last. And there’s evidence because it’s already beginning to slow down and lose its luster. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take full advantage of this opportunity if you feel so inclined. You’ll appreciate your ability to set your own hours, work from home, and still live your life without your job taking priority over your personal responsibilities.
