Tomorrow’s Independent Workers: The Side-Hustle’s Next Step

Published 06 February 2023

Author

Maggie Gray

8 min read

Catalysed by the pandemic-spurred remote work revolution, people worldwide are embracing flexible professional routines. While work-life-balance lures many workers to establish freelancing careers, side-hustles and gig jobs, independent work is also a tool for the financially stretched, who are straddling jobs to make ends meet. Stylus unravels how side-jobs and independent work will reshape future career patterns.

Aspirational Freelancers

Multi-Job Jugglers

Experimental Side Hustlers

An optimistic outlook surrounds independent work. Freelancers see it as a route to financial and professional freedom, while businesses value the fresh perspectives it brings. With more than a third of Americans in some form of self-employment (McKinsey, 2022), the support services market is booming, and companies are under pressure to find flexible working models.

Summary

Aspirational Freelancers

Multi-Job Jugglers

With rising inflation, independent work is increasingly a lifeline, not a choice: 75% of Americans say they’ll need supplementary income to get by (Monster, 2022), and 16% of Brits already have additional jobs (Royal London, 2022). While straddling two roles can bring welcome extra cash, secondary occupations – both gig economy and full-time positions – are under scrutiny.

Experimental Side Hustlers

Side hustles will transform the work landscape. While some stem from financial stress, they also help people develop nascent talents. Globally, 70% of Gen Zers are seeking creative outlets outside their day jobs and want flexible careers to accommodate this (Microsoft, 2022). As individuals monetise their hobbies, expect a surge of inventive micro-markets.

Tomorrow’s Independent Workers: The Side-Hustle’s Next Step

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

Topics

Want to see the full report?

Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.

We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.

We’d love to do the same for you.

Book a demo with us today to discover more.

Membership