New Wave of Independent, Self-Employed Free Agents Emerging Around the World, Kelly(R) International Workforce Survey Finds
05 Mai 2010 - 5:00PM
Marketwired
Economic uncertainty has fueled a growing trend toward
self-employment and entrepreneurialism with one-in-five respondents
worldwide now working outside the traditional employment
relationship, and 50 percent saying that they would like to do so,
according to the latest survey results from workforce solutions
leader Kelly Services® (NASDAQ: KELYA) (NASDAQ: KELYB).
The findings are part of the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which
obtained the views of approximately 134,000 people in 29 countries
across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
The rise of the self-employed, often known as independent
contractors or 'free agents,' is most pronounced in North America,
with 26 percent identifying themselves in this category, compared
with 19 percent in Asia Pacific, and 17 percent in Europe.
The survey also finds that almost a quarter of all respondents
would like to start their own business, with younger workers the
most likely to pursue a business venture.
The baby boomer generation (aged 48-65) make up the largest
share of this expanding group, but the desire to move to a more
flexible and independent career status is shared by both Gen X
(aged 30-47) and Gen Y (aged 18-29). Men are more likely than women
to be self-employed and to want to start their own businesses.
"The economic downturn has resulted in a new way of thinking
about careers and job security. Many people have watched their jobs
disappear and now want to do something that puts them in more
control of their career," says Kelly Services Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer, George Corona. "These are
often people with many years of experience, who may have been
displaced and who have taken an entrepreneurial approach to
marketing their skills."
Key generational findings of the survey reveal that:
- 20 percent of those surveyed are working outside the
traditional employment relationship as freelancers, consultants,
independent contractors or free agents, comprising 28 percent of
baby boomers, 20 percent of Gen X and 18 percent of Gen Y.
- Of those not working independently, 12 percent would like to do
so.
- For all age groups, the main factors preventing a move to
greater independence is uncertainty about income, while younger
workers are also concerned about the risk of failure, and older
workers worry about the cost of healthcare.
- 30 percent of Gen Y say they would like to start their own
business, compared with 22 percent of Gen X and 14 percent of baby
boomers.
- Almost half of all those surveyed (48 percent) say they feel
that their current skills would be sufficient to enable them to
start a business, with baby boomers and Gen X (both 54 percent)
more confident than Gen Y (40 percent).
- There is a feeling among all groups that the market demand for
their skills will remain strong over the coming year.
"Many of those who lost their jobs as a result of the global
economic crisis have had to reinvent themselves as independent
contractors, freelancers and consultants. This self-employment
trend may continue as more people become attracted by the autonomy,
independence, and flexibility of working for themselves," Corona
concludes.
For more information about the survey results and key global
findings, please visit the Kelly Global Workforce Index.
About the Kelly Global Workforce Index The
Kelly Global Workforce Index is an annual survey revealing opinions
about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint.
Approximately 134,000 people from North America, Europe, and Asia
Pacific responded to the 2010 survey with results published on a
quarterly basis. In 2009, Kelly Services was the recipient of a
MarCom Gold Award for the Kelly Global Workforce Index in the
Research/Study category.
About Kelly Services Kelly Services, Inc.
(NASDAQ: KELYA) (NASDAQ: KELYB) is a leader in providing workforce
solutions. Kelly offers a comprehensive array of outsourcing and
consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary,
temporary-to-hire and direct-hire basis. Serving clients around the
globe, Kelly provides employment to 480,000 employees annually.
Revenue in 2009 was $4.3 billion. Visit www.kellyservices.com.
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Media contacts: Asia Pacific Jaquilin Ang Kelly Services
+65 6494 6066 Jaquilin_ang@kellyservices.com.sg Europe
Tamara Achba Kelly Services +41 32 737 1829
Tamara.achba@kellyservices.eu North America Kathy Fisher
Kelly Services +1 248 244-4909 kathy_fisher@kellyservices.com
Kelly Services (NASDAQ:KELYA)
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