Field Guide to the future of work: essay collection
14th January 2019
7 thought-provoking and eclectic perspectives on the future of work
Recent years have seen a steady rise in alternative patterns of work, from self-employment to zero-hour contracts, and from agency work to part-time employment. Some of these changes have been driven by demographic shifts, others by cultural attitudes. Technology has also fuelled the atomisation of work, with new gig platforms making it easier for people to buy and sell services on demand. But while breaking free from 9-5 employment has many advantages, it also comes with many risks. Income can be more volatile and protections like sick pay and pension coverage are hard to come by.
Below are some of the Future Work Awards winners who are improving the livelihoods of workers in alternative arrangements.
Portify are helping gig workers to access fairly priced loans through alternative credit risk scoring, WeMind are supporting freelancers to find affordable housing by offering a rent guarantee to landlords, and SMart are tackling the problem of late payments through a salary guarantee fund that pays its self-employed members within 7 days.
Where next for the gig economy and freelance work? The RSA Future Work Centre explores these questions in more depth:
14th January 2019
7 thought-provoking and eclectic perspectives on the future of work
27th April 2017
The RSA undertook the largest survey on Britain's gig economy. How we can make sure to raise the quality and security of gig work over the long-term?