Free agents now represent 44% of the active workforce in the U.S., as discussed in our latest research report. Yet, there are several factors that will continue to fuel further growth in this workstyle. I’d like to share two perspectives with you in separate blog posts.

Today I am focusing on the employee’s perspective:

- Economic uncertainty: The state of the economy remains foremost in the minds of the U.S. workforce, yet as workers realize that guaranteed job security is a thing of the past, uncertainty is sparking new interest in the free agent workstyle. More than half of traditional employees agree that current economic conditions have caused them to increasingly consider the free agent workstyle as a way of gaining greater control over their own career and income stream.

- New health and retirement options: The historic dependence of workers on their employers for benefits such as healthcare and retirement savings looks set for change in coming years. Should more flexible and affordable healthcare become available, the research shows that more than one-third of traditional employees indicate they would be “likely” or “very likely” to consider the free agent workstyle.

- Household make up: Two-income families provide greater flexibility for exploring free agency. As one spouse maintains the security of traditional employment, the other is able to explore more flexible work opportunities.

- New technologies: Video conferencing, instant messaging, cloud computing, and social networking have emerged to connect free agents effortlessly with the networks and tools they need to access work all over the world.

- Changing worker attitudes: Younger workers are less likely to commit to one employer for a lifetime and are looking for the best opportunities to expand and differentiate their work portfolio. Mid-career workers often have competing life priorities and are looking for ways to access greater flexibility. Similarly, older workers are looking for more flexible ways to transition into retirement and to maximize the value of their extensive experience. Downsizing, business pressures, and a competing load of work and family responsibilities are prompting many workers to seek more flexibility and balance in their lives.

- Demographic shifts: Mature workers are disproportionately more likely to be free agents than their younger counterparts, and as the workforce continues to age, the shift toward the flexibility of free agency will continue. As older workers delay full retirement, the freedom and flexibility of the free agent option is becoming extremely attractive. These workers are experienced, highly skilled and educated, and have developed a wide network of professional contacts through their years of work. They offer a great deal of value to employers who are looking for qualified talent who will add instant value.
 
This post is part of "7 Ways Organizations can capitalize on the Free Agent workstyle trend", a ebook free for download.