Has your organisation been caught off guard by employees unexpectedly leaving, or long drawn-out hiring processes? Employers from a variety of industries, particularly service-based organisations, can benefit from the gig economy.
Traditional employers are now using the gig economy to hire contract workers to fill short-term needs during peak demand cycles.
Brett Owens reporting for Fisher Phillips states, “Service-oriented companies are discovering that long wait times and poor customer service can be diminished by using gig platforms to meet unforeseen staffing needs. Employers in the service, retail, hospitality, and restaurant industries are demonstrating that the gig economy and contract workers can create value for employers suffering from the inability to meet the demands of their customers and business operations.”
Employers from small businesses to large industries can efficiently hire short-term skilled workers to see them through busy seasons. This process increases flexibility and speed, while reducing administration and time expenses.
If you are considering this option, you might also be interested in analysing your internal resources. Before advertising on external platforms, promote opportunities internally, as some of your current employees may be a good fit for short-term project offerings.
“By creating an internal website to notify employees of freelance projects, employers can [utilise] the appeal of the gig economy to maximize their own employees’ talents, promote innovation, and assist their employees with finding work that they find subjectively appealing and significant.”
On a similar note, you might also consider appealing to past members of staff who left on good terms. Creating an alumni network is a great way to stay in touch with former employees, while also building a great talent pool of people who are already familiar with your organisation and processes.
Some organisations are even providing benefits for their gig workers to remain competitive in the tight labor market. However, it is important to note that this can be subject to legal considerations.
Although the gig economy holds great potential, it has a number of advantages and disadvantages for both organisations and individuals. If your organisation is service-oriented and suffers from lack of staff during busy seasons, it is an avenue worth exploring.
Does your organisation hire contract workers to fulfill short-term staffing needs? Let us know in the comments.
Source
Brett Owens
Fisher Phillips
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