The Continuing Rise of the Gig Economy: What it Means for Businesses and Business Leaders

There's a seismic shift reshaping the business world today. The tectonic plates of traditional employment continue to be upended, rapidly being replaced by a flexible, on-demand model that is transforming how we work. This accelerating global trend, the gig economy, is quickly becoming an integral part of the global workforce for companies large and small. 

The gig economy — it's the present and future of work.

Currently, the gig economy accounts for a third of the world’s working population and is projected to reach an astounding $500 billion in gross volume within the next five years. This rapid expansion is also evident in the United States, where over 50% of the workforce is expected to be part of the gig economy by 2027*.

These numbers point to a future where independent, flexible work is the norm. For business executives, understanding this shift and harnessing its potential will be pivotal to sustaining and growing your organizations in the coming years.

The Impact on Business Operations

The rising gig economy brings changes in several key areas: hiring, payroll, management, and administration.

Hiring: With the gig economy, businesses can tap into a global talent pool, offering flexibility and specialized skills that may not be available locally. This model allows businesses to scale rapidly and responsively to fluctuating market demands.

Payroll: Traditional payroll systems are built around a model of consistent, regular pay for full-time employees. With the influx of gig workers, businesses will need to adapt their payroll systems to handle a variety of payment schedules and rates, international transactions, and possibly, digital currencies. This is where a Global Payout Orchestration Platform becomes critical.

Management: Managing a gig workforce can be more complex due to variables like time zone differences, cultural disparities, and remote work dynamics. These challenges necessitate robust project management systems and effective communication strategies. The existing or traditional ways of managing simply don’t work in this environment.

Administration: Compliance with labor laws and tax regulations for gig workers, who may operate in multiple jurisdictions, is complex. As such, businesses must invest in appropriate legal guidance and administrative support. This is another place where a Global Payout Orchestration Platform becomes critical.

Factors Driving the Gig Economy Surge

There are several factors propelling the gig economy's growth:

Work-Life Balance: Many workers are drawn to the gig economy because it offers greater flexibility and control over work schedules and locations. The gig economy enables a better balance between personal life and work, a quality increasingly sought after by today's workforce.

Economic Uncertainty: In times of global economic volatility, businesses may be reluctant to commit to permanent hires. The gig economy allows businesses to engage workers on a project-by-project basis, offering financial flexibility to achieve desired outcomes.

Technological Advances: Platforms connecting gig workers are prevalent and continue to rapidly evolve. Gig platforms are further accelerating this shift. Moreover, technology has made it easier for gig workers to perform their tasks remotely and for businesses to manage a globally dispersed workforce.

Changing Demographics: Younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, value flexibility and autonomy more than previous generations. They are more comfortable with, and often prefer, the independence that comes with gig work.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Gig Economy

The global gig economy is expected to grow by 17% by 2023, generating $204 billion in gross volume*. 

Domestically, the United States is predicted to have more gig workers than non-gig workers by 2027*.

The implications of these trends are profound. 

As business leaders, staying ahead of these changes and finding ways to leverage them will be essential for success in the coming decade. Whether it's adapting business models, revisiting hiring strategies, or investing in new management tools, realizing the impact of, and planning for an increase in, the gig economy should be high on every executive's agenda.

* These numbers and percentages will vary depending upon your preferred data source(s). The values presented here represent an average of the most frequently cited statistics to illustrate the size and significance of the gig economy.