The Gig Economy and its Impact on Mobility : Weichert Workforce Mobility
The Gig Economy and its Impact on Mobility 02.5.2020 | Jennifer Connell	
Everyone’s talking about the gig economy these days, and the mobility industry is no exception. The “gig economy” is a labor pool characterized by non-traditional, short-term working relationships, typically independent in nature (think Uber for freelancers).
While the verdict is still out on the pros and cons for both employees and organizations, it is clear that there does seem to be a growing trend toward this type of work. Companies have access to a broader pool of talent to fill vital roles and to staff up for targeted projects, with fewer costs. However, when the scales tip too much in favor of using this workforce, the company is at risk: this group is often less engaged and can leave at any time, potentially jeopardizing the organization’s long-term succession plan and growth initiatives.
What is the impact to Mobility?
In the global mobility arena, the gig economy offers many benefits, with organizations able to respond to business needs and fill positions quickly. We have seen an increase in the number of companies evaluating mobility benefits, however, it is still rare and often minimal. In the end, nothing is ever as easy as it seems and like so many times in mobility these days, for mobility managers, compliance issues rise to the surface as organizations face challenges with tax, legal, and HR considerations.
If a gig workforce is well suited to your industry and you’re considering supplementing your established workforce with gig workers, be sure to include the right stakeholders in the planning, including: Talent Acquisition, Corporate Tax, Compensation, and the Business Partners who will be working directly with the gig workers.
Minimize your risk by working closely with tax and legal experts as each country and individual case will vary. Finally, leverage the experience of your mobility provider to incorporate any best practices and relocation benefits into your strategy.
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