The Contingent
Labor Imperative:

 

How Agile Enterprises Succeed in a Modern

Workforce Model

Group-57
GIRL

How Agile Enterprises Succeed in a Modern Workforce Model

Key shifts include increased use of independent labor (freelancers, independent consultants, contractors, etc.) to improve workforce flexibility, agility, and access to hard-to-find talent. Today's savvy enterprises are planning to substantially increase their use of contingent labor in the coming years.

Contingent Labor is Here to Stay

Nearly one in three workers at large enterprises are already contingent. This number is growing and growing even faster if you already use contingent labor.

%

28%

The average company surveyed reported
that contingent labor made up
28% of their workforce.

The More You Use, The More You Use: Contingent Labor is the Gift That Keeps Giving

Plans to Increase

The More You Use, The More You Use: Contingent Labor is the Gift That Keeps Giving

Firms with a relatively high share of contingent workers plan to increase their use of contingent labor substantially more than those with lower shares. Once it is a corporate imperative, benefits are seen, it is used strategically, and firms use even more contingent labor.

Skilled Independent Labor: An Agile Enterprise's Ultimate Ally

Enterprises use skilled labor (read: highly compensated and in-demand skill sets) for the bulk of their contingent labor programs. This is to meet demand (talent shortages) as well as because they can't find FTEs qualified for the work.

82%

of organizations report that skilled
contingent workers make up half or
more of their contingent labor force.

business woman

It's {Not} About the Money: Accessing Top Talent and Meeting Workforce Needs are Paramount

The top reasons for using contingent labor include meeting temporary workload needs, increasing productivity, getting tasks done more quickly, and accessing specialized skills and hard-to-hire talent.

Top Reasons for
Direct Sourcing Contingent Labor

(Ranked by very important score)

57%
Greater access to
specialized skills
line

Finding / hiring
specialized talent

56%
Increases quality of freelance work
line

Ensuring the consistency
of work quality

53%
Allows creation of a freelance talent bench that can be quickly accessed
line

Managing turnover and
transitions; time to hire

53%
Reduces costs
line

Labor costs

52%
Increases hiring manager satisfaction
line

Work quality, skills
access, management

Becoming a Client of Choice: Use of Internal Independent Worker Talent Marketplaces

awareness 1

Becoming a Client of Choice: Use of Internal Independent Worker Talent Marketplaces

Corporate internal contingent labor platforms - company branded and curated platforms that connect external contingent talent with internal projects and teams - are emerging as a leading method for accomplishing these tasks.

Direct Sourcing: How Savvy Organizations Scale for Growth

This enables firms to quickly access qualified contingent workers, many of whom have experience working with their firms. Reuse of contingent labor increases work quality, decreases fill time, and improves the likelihood of contingent workers fitting with the firm's culture and work teams. Direct sourcing also reduces sourcing costs, and compliance risks.

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