Are you ready to meet your 2025 employee?
As we enter the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, alternative workforce classifications are popping up left and right. Businesses are considering who's part of their future workforce and who's not. And that's the topic of my May 27 keynote: "Let's meet your 2025 employee".
Some workplaces are reopening for business, but in a different way. Google's CEO just announced their hybrid workforce future. It's back to the office for 60% of the week, but that office has fundamentally changed: private workspaces, outdoor tents, work from anywhere weeks and more locations globally.
And even though vaccinations are under way, we'll have to deal with continued social distancing, reluctant employees and uncertain economic conditions. Which means that companies are very open to consider the idea of a flexible workforce that can meet the fluctuating demands of a modern organization.
While we might think of the flexible workforce in stereotypes, the current flexible workforce offers jobs in all industries and at all levels: from gig workers and independent contractors to fractional executives.
Upwork just rebranded itself as work marketplace: a place where highly skilled talent can find their next opportunity (which is not a gig!). The demand for a more flexible workforce has never been greater and neither has the willingness to be your own boss. As a young person said to me: "relying on employment is a thing of the past."
And speaking of the future of work: I'm so excited to share my rebranded website! I chose a minimalist look & feel with a color pop. Take a look and let me know what you think. And that also explains why this week's newsletter is shorter than usual - I had a busy week!
Have a great weekend, Anita
PS: Do you have something (an article, product, idea, etc) I should consider for my keynote on the 2025 employee? Send me a note and I'll take a look!
Weekend reading
HRM Asia invited me to write about my keynote: the 2025 employee, the economy of individuals, the flexible workforce and how that influences the top priorities for HR Leaders. You can find it on page 17 of the magazine.
The Work Marketplace — www.upwork.com
It's a new ecosystem where professionals and companies can connect. "It's not limited by small transactions or small thinking." And luckily for Upwork, larger opportunities don't bring in small fees either...
Utmost Raises $21 Million to Expand its Extended Workforce System — blog.utmost.co
Companies like Utmost help you manage all your workers, regardless of contract status, and investors are catching on. It's a question all companies will have to answer: how are you going to view and manage your workforce holistically?
The Future of Contingent Workforce Management — www.bountyjobs.com
According to this new report, 80% of companies are leveraging contingent workers, and 1 in 3 companies plan to increase their investment in 2021.
Biden Blocks Gig-Worker Rule — www.wsj.com
Remember my recent newsletter: are we seeing the beginning of the end of the gig worker? This time the US blocked a rule that would have made it more difficult for a gig worker to be counted as an employee.
Tweet of the week
Bit of a nice surprise this week: Biz Tech Magazine featured me on their 2021 Top 30 Influencer List! Check it out: