We were very surprised by the results from a recent survey on contingent work done by a group consisting of the Aspen Institute’s Future of Work Initiative, the Markle Foundation, Burson-Marsteller and TIME Magazine.
They surveyed employers and found that only 58% think their employees are more loyal than their contingent workers. They also found that only 52% of employers think contingent workers are “not as invested in their product” as their employees.
Key quote from the study:
"Fifty-eight percent of employers who hire independent contractors agree that “non-employee contingent workers are not as loyal.” Additionally, 54 percent of employers agree that non-employee contingent workers are “not always available when I need them;” and 52 percent agree that non-employee contingent workers are “not as invested in their product.”"
When we looked at this data our reaction was Wow! - almost half of employers think their independent contractors are as loyal and as interested in their products as their employees.
This, to us, is a pretty clear indicator of the extent the employer - employee relationship has changed.
While we don't have specific data to point to, we're sure 10 years ago a much greater percentage of employers (maybe almost all) would have said their employees were more loyal.
We also think that even 10 years ago a lot of people would wonder why someone would even ask this question in a survey - the common view back then was of course employees are more loyal than freelancers.
The survey also reports that almost all employers are satisfied with the performance of their contingent workers. Key quote:
Ninety-seven percent of employers who use independent contractors report they are satisfied with their performance, those employers who report they will use more independent contractors are 98 percent satisfied and even those who say they will use fewer independent contractors report a 95 percent satisfaction rate with these workers.
These results show the changing nature of work as well as the changing way both employers and employees view their relationship with one another.
Almost needless to say is loyalty between employees and employers is no longer as strong as it was even in the recent past.
Add in non-employees performing well and the flexibility and agility contingent workers provide, and it's no surprise that 60% of employers surveyed said they plan to increase their use of contingent workers in the future and almost all the rest plan on continuing their use at their current level.
Yet more evidence that a work is changing and independent work is becoming more popular both for employers and workers.
Time Magazine has more detail in their article on the survey.
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