Independent Contractors Fuel the Changing Workforce

Independent contractors — also known as freelancers, consultants, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs — are fast becoming the faces of the new economy.  Studies by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Government Accountability Office show that there are more than 20 million freelancers and independent contractors, and it is estimated that by 2020, more than 40 percent of the workforce will be freelancers, temps, independent contractors and solopreneurs. For a great article on some of the reasons for the changing workforce, see ” ‘Free agent’ is new face of workforce” in Minnesota Star Tribune.