Giants - free birds

Who are the giants? What is the giga-economy? Is it just a temporary trend? Let's try to take a closer look at this interesting phenomenon. The topic is all the more interesting because it is a real aspect of the change in the labor market after the pandemic. It is estimated that in the next five years the number of giants in the Polish labor market will double. It currently stands at about 10% of the workforce. Employers are therefore forced, following the current of change, to adjust their business models to meet this demand.

Who is the giger?

Among the millennial group and the "Generation Z" entering the labor market, factors that characterize forms of employment such as a sense of independence, decisiveness and a strong need for diverse experiences - occupy key positions among these groups. Nearly 42% of current employees from the previous "generation Y" are freelancers, and therefore potential giants. It is already estimated that in 2030 these people will make up as much as 20% of the labor market. It's safe to assume that they will want to act even more independently, following the principle of "Connect, Communicate, Change." Among the giants, we will most often meet creative workers: graphic designers, photographers, copywriters or translators, but also IT and marketing specialists. Representatives of these professions have always preferred flexible forms of employment, while the changes that have taken place recently strongly spread this phenomenon.

Giants are and giga-economy

Gig economy is called a system of work, which is characterized by a flexible form of employment and a flexible way of doing it (e.g. remote form of work). According to this principle, we can call gig workers temporary workers, but also those who have specialized skills, such as consultants or independent contractors. Although giants have been present in the market virtually forever, they have never been so visible. This phenomenon has undoubtedly been brought into sharp focus by the pandemic, and the "home office" that accompanied it. There are many more factors that amplify this interesting phenomenon. Take, for example, the development of technology. Great graphic designers these days have the ability to use very advanced graphic devices practically without moving from bed.

Everything has its pros and cons

Undoubtedly, the gig economy trend is gaining popularity in Poland as well. Self-employed people today can take advantage of a number of opportunities offered to them by the Polish state, such as the PIT flat tax or preferential ZUS contributions "to start" - in the initial period of activity. Employers themselves are also very eagerly looking at this type of cooperation, as they realize that they can have access to a great specialist in fact without having to hire him, which would involve costs such as "downloading" and "settling" the potential professional at the physical location of the company.

The gig economy also presents a number of challenges that both those who work this way and the employers themselves must face. Giggers want a fair salary and a sense of security. The latter is what giggers lack the most, as this form of cooperation is fraught with quite a bit of risk. It can be said that, like everything in life, "freedom" also has its price. For giggers are only as important to the employer as their last job. A weaker day, indisposition - are for them tantamount to lack of payment. In addition, they can't count on the so-called L4 - paid sick leave from a given period of work. Personal development or networking restrictions are also a challenge. Nevertheless, summing up the calculus of pros and cons, the giga market is gaining ground and tempting a growing number of "free birds."

author: Przemysław Nowacki