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Gig economyLearning & developmentFixed-term contractsInterim managementAgency workers

Gig economy will grow, say half of HR leaders

by Rob Moss 2 Feb 2017
by Rob Moss 2 Feb 2017 The use of gig workers on projects and short-term assignments is set to grow, according to the research
The use of gig workers on projects and short-term assignments is set to grow, according to the research

Nearly 40% of companies hire staff on a temporary or project basis, and “gig economy” working is set to grow, according to research from software company Oracle.

Half of HR decision-makers said they will hire more workers on a project basis by 2020, Oracle found, as they opt for greater flexibility and a more specialist range of skills.

Gig economy: further reading

Uber drivers tribunal decision presents challenge to “gig economy” model

CitySprint courier is a worker, concludes employment tribunal

Opinion: Why HR should embrace the gig economy

Model contract for services

Opinion was split, however, as to who should manage and pay for gig economy employees’ training: 40% said it should be the responsibility of the worker, while the same percentage felt the company should pay.

Only 11% of workers felt it was their responsibility to fund and manage their own training and development, while 50% wanted the hiring company to take this on.

More than half (56%) of HR leaders thought one way to support a freelance workforce would be to make training materials publicly available so that they can develop specific skills aligned to open roles.

Andy Campbell, strategy director for human capital management at Oracle, said: “The way we develop talent needs a rethink if UK businesses are to stay on top of their projects and recruit skilled candidates on shorter notice.

“HR leaders who are already playing a more strategic role in the boardroom will now be tasked with finding new ways to match the right people to the right jobs at the right time.”

He added: “Companies need a more fluid talent pool as new technologies disrupt their business models and the way people work. Equally, they need to make it easy for contract workers to add value quickly and collaborate with permanent team members.

“’An open-source approach’ to training for contractors would make it easier to effectively onboard new people so they hit the ground running.”

Companies need a more fluid talent pool as new technologies disrupt their business models and the way people work” – Andy Campbell, Oracle

Some employers, such as consulting firm PwC, have already launched their own talent communities where freelancers can register for upcoming projects.

Oracle’s research was conducted among 250 HR leaders and 1,500 employees across France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UAE and the UK.

A report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation last summer predicted that gig work would add £45 billion to the UK economy and create work for 766,000 people.

Rob Moss
Rob Moss

Rob Moss is a business journalist with more than 25 years' experience. He has been editor of Personnel Today since 2010. He joined the publication in 2006 as online editor of the award-winning website. He specialises in labour market economics, gender diversity and family-friendly working. He has hosted hundreds of webinar and podcasts, most recently on the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. Before writing about HR and employment he ran news and feature desks on publications serving the global optical and eyewear market, the UK electrical industry, and energy markets in Asia and the Middle East.

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