WORKPL ACE ISSUES
Covid Is Accelerating the Gig Economy By MICHAEL A. CHICHESTER, JR. AND SOPHIA BEHNIA
C
ovid-19 has accelerated a transformation of the workplace that was underway long before the pandemic. The technological revolution, combined with the need to quickly adapt workplace policies and practices to a shifting and unpredictable environment, has created novel issues for employers worldwide. These range from employees demanding new ways of working, to the need for entirely new skill sets in the workforce, to a greater focus on using data analytics to shape strategies and improve outcomes. In this article, we focus on one key impact of this transition: how
14
TODAYSGENERALCOUNSEL.COM MAY 202 1
the realities of automation and a shift to more permanent remote work could accelerate the gig economy and independent contractor work. Since the Industrial Revolution, technology has served as a catalyst for businesses to operate more efficiently and provide workers with more autonomy in performing their jobs. Today, advances in artificial intelligence, automation and robotics are rapidly changing how workplaces operate and how employment-related decisions are made. Not only did the pandemic accelerate the recognition that work can often be done from
anywhere, but it accelerated deployment of the technology needed to enable remote work. The gig economy provided flexibility for workers struggling with the disruption and uncertainty of the pandemic. As companies continue to rely on more remote workforces, they will inevitably outsource more flexible functions — information technology, accounting, software and web development, to name a few — to independent contractors. The benefits of using independent contractors have given rise to the burgeoning gig economy we see today. Technology and automation have made it easier BACK TO CONTENTS
