Fast Company: As the freelance economy grows, its denizens want to revise popular understanding about the work they do. Or as Upwork CEO Stephane Kasriel puts it, “There is a feeling that freelancing is about driving Uber cars, and it’s not.”
A new report released today by Upwork and the Freelancer’s Union, titled “Freelancing in America,” estimates that more than one-third of Americans are currently freelancing, and that by 2027, the majority of the U.S. workforce will freelance in some capacity.
5 comments:
I think the differentiation between freelancers and gig workers is one of attitude like stated in the article, but not in the same way. Gig worker as a phrase is more associated with basically being unemployed, but as more and more people reject the 9 to 5 job and our economy is more and more on demand, the terminology is growing with the profession. Freelancers are seen as much more professional now as their careers are taken more seriously and seen as a viable and valid occupation, while those called gig workers have jobs we still consider subpar or not 'real jobs', like Uber drivers or band musicians. Its a change I think will transition as people see more and more jobs as real options and discover the possibilities of usually ignored or underappreciated fields and professions.
How appropriate that this be posted before we talked about working through your taxes if you are a freelancer. I’ve heard numerous theatrical and entertainment professionals refer to their work as gigs and I think that’s a tricky subject actually. For some people in New York, they do work gig to gig and are not necessarily “freelancers” in the way that the article puts it. I think it’s also to point out the difference between working a gig and being a “gig worker”. Many union members work gig (or job) to gig as tours come through town and new shows are produced. These gig workers are not employed by a single company but work steadily. In addition to that, many theatrical employees support their income by working a gig here or there. I don’t personally associate any negative connotation with the word, but I do understand how someone who does not quite understand “gig employment” could be upset.
I am having difficulty understanding how people can call Uber drivers and delivery people freelance workers. According to google the definition of a freelance worker is someone that is self-employed and works by providing a service or skill. Uber drivers very much so have an employer, in fact, their EMPLOYER takes a cut of their pay. I suppose if you tried really hard you would be able to find a way to link the two but it would never be a true freelance position. This honestly sounds like Uber trying to hype a driving position with a play on words. I am doubtful that anyone besides the company or the driver is going around advertising this. So if I were a freelance designer I probably wouldn’t be taking any offense to this. At the end of the day, it is inspiring to see such an increase in the freelance industry because of the number of people that don’t want to be involved in a corporate structure or follow a business hierarchy.
I really don’t like the terms gig worker or freelancer. Before grad school I did a lot of jobs throughout my industry. I worked with the local IATSE union doing load in/out and running some shows as well as in the community at different small theatre companies. I have also designed, staged managed, and TD’d a number of shows. They provided a steady stream of income. I wouldn’t call any of it gig work. Gig is a term used by older roadies and hands from a different time and those with a different mindset. The term freelance is an insult. It implies that you can underpay me for the very specific skills that I have and that I bring to your show. This is not the case. An Uber driver drives, that’s pretty much it. Yes, they have to maintain insurance, a well kept car, and a knowledge of the geographical area that they are driving in, but they drive. I have a skillset, training, ongoing training at that. I often provide my own equipment and have to spend long hours on the job site to make sure that everything works. Photographers may show up and spend several hours taking pictures of your wedding and then spend the next 7-10 days editing all 3000 photos that they took to find the right moments to capture your special day. That is time that is not free and it is not a gig by any means. I love what I do, I wouldn’t change that. What I do want to see changed is this perception that the work that independent artists, stage managers, technicians, designers, carpenters, etc, is somehow a reason to pay people less than what they are worth because they are considered “freelance”.
It’s so interesting to me how the connotation of words change as culture shifts not to mention how a person’s experience and relationship to the word can change their perception of that connotation.
For me, “gig economy” implies people making extra money through side jobs (aka Uber driver, amateur musician, etc.) As in, people can’t make enough money with one job, so they have to have something on the side. Freelancing, on the other hand, is someone who works close to full-time hours, but in a field that does not hire people permanently. For me, “freelancing” sounds professional and artistic, gig economy sounds non-professional and can apply to a number of fields.
I’m certain this perception is influence by the fact that I belong to a field where freelancing is common and is an accepted position for professionals. There’s something romantic about the word “freelance,” a historical reference to 19th century mercenary ( literally a FREE lance,) but I’m wondering why “contractor” isn’t a more popular alternative.
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