根據Staffing Industry Analysts於2021年11月所公佈的一項新研究指出，英格蘭與威爾斯為零工平台工作的人數，在過去的5年裡增加了2倍。The Edge Market也提到，亞太區每5名的招募經理中，就有4名會僱用零工擔任某些職位。在這個新時代，從自由接案（包含一次性或跟著企業專案執行的工作）到約派（約聘、派遣等）工作，零工已涵蓋了更廣泛的類型。

由於零工經歷似乎讓勞資雙方皆能受益，自由工作者和約派人員的需求也隨著逐漸增加。相較約派人員，自由工作者的確享有極大的彈性和自由，卻也導致了其它顧慮的產生。自由工作者可以隨意為自我訂定規則；也可以為他們想要的任何人工作，然而他們所追求的自主權可能到頭來只是一場空。如果是需要定期將薪水支付借款、賬單、保險、房租或抵押貸款等等的人，就必須每月接任多份工作才能負擔起財務支出。由於收入會因工作內容有所波動，因此自由接案無法完全給予保證。相形之下，約派人員可以根據合約內容而擁有更具保障的長期收入。

自由工作者可能也無法享有像是健保或醫療險等等員工福利。如果因此生病或捲入意外事故而無法工作，就只能自行吸收財務上的損失。他們也可能不受如同正職員工的勞基法保護（例如帶薪休假、醫療賠償和住院治療）。自由工作者還必須節省金錢的使用來掌握影響生活品質的諸多變數（例如緊急情況、稅收和退休）。這樣看來自由工作者真的擁有完全的自主權嗎？而這真的適合你嗎？

或許，自由工作者更適合那些不受每月花費限制的退休人員和學生，或是想在工作之間的空窗期花些時間調整步伐（或是等待穩定的機會到來），並能在過渡期間賺取到一些收入的人。約派人員往往則更適合年輕族群和想在合適的領域找尋立足出發點的應屆畢業生。然而許多具有專才的專業人士在近期也紛紛選擇以約派人員的身份就職，他們尤其偏好IT、科技和數位行銷領域，在這些領域他們能藉由特殊專案或創新同時拓展知識和收入。

最後，無論您的工作選擇為何，我們都希望這篇專欄能幫助您做出最明智的決定。

To Gig or not to Gig: Is this really for you?

According to a new research published by the Staffing Industry Analysts on November 2021, the number of people working for the gig economy platforms has nearly tripled in England and Wales over the past five years. The Edge Market also mentioned that 4 out of 5 Talent Managers in Asia Pacific (APAC) hire gig workers for certain roles. Gig work encompasses a wider range of work in this new era, from freelance work (include 1-off assignment or project-based work) to temporary/contractual period work.

The demand and supply of freelancers and temp/contractual workers are increasing as the gig economy seems to be benefiting both hiring managers and workers. While it’s true that freelancers enjoy great flexibility and freedom, but it also raises other concerns. While freelancers can set their own rules; working for whoever they want and whenever they feel like it, the personal autonomy that they dream of may just be an illusion. If you’re a person who needs a regular paycheck to fulfill your regular commitments such as loans, bills, insurance, rentals, or mortgage, you will need to work a certain number of jobs every month to fulfill the financial commitments. Freelancing may not guarantee you this as the income fluctuates based on assignments. Temporary/Contract employees on the other hand may enjoy a more guaranteed income for a longer stipulated time based on their agreements.

Freelancers may not enjoy staff benefits such as health or medical insurance. If they fall sick or get involved in an accident, they may not be able to work thus, suffer an income loss. They may not be protected under any labour law which governs full-time employees’ benefits such as paid leaves, medical claims and hospitalization. Freelancers must save more money to control many variables that could affect their life, such as emergencies, taxes and retirement. So, do freelancers really have the full personal autonomy and is this really for you?

Perhaps, freelancing is more suitable for retirees and students who are not limited by monthly commitments, or when you are in between jobs and want to take some time to recalibrate (or while waiting for something permanent to come along) and earn some income in the interim. Likewise, in the case of opting for Temporary/Contractual work, which tends to suit the younger generation and fresh graduates who are seeking to find their footing with the right industries. Many highly skilled professionals have also opted for Contractual work these days especially, within I.T, Technology and Digital Marketing where they prefer to expand their knowledge and income through special projects or innovation.

Whatever your work choice, we hope this article will help you make a well-informed decision.