There’s nothing quite like not having work. You feel a sick sensation in your stomach and a mounting panic. I myself have had this experience on more than one occasion.
But all things considered, I don’t have much to complain about. I’ve never gone through a long period of unemployment, as many people have. What’s more, many who are unemployed also have children depending on them.
On the other hand, perhaps you are a company needing certain tasks to be dealt with, but you can’t afford to hire someone full-time at the moment. Or maybe the level of work is too much for your current staff but not enough to justify another person devoting all of his or her time to it.
Whether you’re looking for work or for a worker, on-demand labor can benefit you.
Join the On-Demand Workforce
If you’ve been searching for employment or are not satisfied with your job for some reason, you should consider being a temp worker and providing on-demand labor. This could look like contract work, freelancing, or working at a company for a set time period.
Fields that benefit from on-demand labor include marketing, social media, administrative, retail, hospitality, and warehouse industries.
There are a number of reasons why being a contingent worker can benefit you. Of course, some work is better than no work if you’re struggling to find employment. Also, the elasticity of contingent work allows people to earn extra income to pay for expenses they could not otherwise cover through their primary jobs. For example, for a while, my cousin supplemented her teaching income with money she made driving for Uber.
There are people who actually prefer contingent work as their main source of revenue. It could be that they didn’t enjoy their previous jobs, or maybe they tired of corporate politics. They might love the independence that self-employment offers.
While it could’ve been layoffs that drove them to independent work, many of these “super temps,” are actually making incomes that are equal to or greater than those of their previous jobs.
I have personally benefited from the freedom independent work provides. It’s given me the ability to temporarily contract with a nonprofit whose mission I believe in. I was able to travel several hours away to be with my parents when my dad had major surgery. I would never have been able to do these things without the independence and flexibility of self-employment.
The Employer’s Side
But on-demand work also benefits companies with certain needs. The workloads of many organizations fluctuate throughout the year. Sometimes businesses require extra help with particular projects or need to fill temporary gaps.
In such circumstances, on-demand workers are the perfect resource because they offer a diverse pool of skills and experiences from which companies can choose.
They also provide businesses with a high degree of flexibility because companies don’t have to commit to hiring people full-time. Organizations can quickly and simply scale to their needs, in addition to saving time and money.
Technology Makes Life Easier
Technology truly facilitates the on-demand workforce. Where would we be without Wi-Fi or smartphones, which enable us to work from anywhere in the world?
Technology has not only made it easier than ever to communicate, but it has also provided a space for platforms that enable workers and employers to find each other.
One such platform is Workfast, a temporary staffing agency. Workfast connects companies looking for temporary workers with people looking for short-term employment.
Unlike other platforms, Workfast doesn’t charge users any fees for subscribing, listing jobs, or signing up. And its overall cost is up to 30% cheaper than that of a traditional temp agency.
Employers can find and book workers within minutes for projects taking anywhere from an hour to a week. People looking for work bid on jobs and get paid through the Workfast app the day they complete those jobs.
Workfast also provides a way for workers to rate employers, and vice versa. That way the employers get quality work and employees are treated fairly. As a result of its on-demand nature, Workfast enables employers and employees to find each other with unusual simplicity and ease.
Conclusion
Whatever your current job situation is, the advantages of on-demand labor are notable and worth considering. You might be unemployed, looking to build a career, or simply wanting to add a little variety to your work responsibilities. You might be a company needing to hire someone, but not full-time. Whatever your circumstance is, on-demand work could be an excellent resource for you.