Contingent workforce refers to a group of workers who are not permanent employees of an organization, but are hired on a temporary or contractual basis. This includes freelancers, independent contractors, temporary workers, and consultants, among others.
Contingent workers offer several advantages to organizations, such as flexibility in adjusting the workforce to changing business needs, access to specialized skills and expertise, and reduced labor costs. However, they also pose some challenges, such as potential legal and regulatory issues, difficulty in managing and integrating them into the organization’s culture and workflow, and lower levels of employee engagement and commitment.
The use of contingent workers has been on the rise in recent years, driven by factors such as globalization, technological advancements, and the need for cost and workforce optimization. It is estimated that contingent workers currently make up a significant portion of the workforce in many industries, including IT, healthcare, hospitality, and retail.