Freelance--an Hour’s Pay for an Hour’s Work
In today’s competitive job market, with an increasing
number of qualified applicants vying for the same job, some
people are turning to freelance work as a means of
employment. These temporary, hourly positions provide more
opportunity to a greater number of people and offer an
alternative to part-time or “temp” jobs, which often pay
less and require little skill. However, while freelance
positions offer flexible hours and a more challenging work
experience, they lack many of the benefits of a customary,
full-time position and may not suit everyone.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of freelance work over
traditional employment is the flexibility it allows.
Because employers contact the freelancer with only one
specific project in mind, the employee can accept or
decline the task without reprimand or consequences should
he or she refuse. The employer can always turn to another
freelancer, so there is no pressure on the part of any
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person to accept the task, which allows the freelancer a
more liberal work schedule.
Such discretion is beneficial to many people today.
College students, parents with children at home, or any
person who keeps an unusual schedule can now work within
their particular corporate field without having to keep
corporate hours. In the past, people with such unusual
schedules were forced to work in places where shifts are
equally flexible, such as retail. But such positions often
require less skill than one in a specific area of business
and could prove unchallenging to an educated person. Also,
increasing access to computers and the Internet allows
freelancers to complete many projects at home, which can be
extremely convenient for the employee.
However, while freelance work offers more flexibility,
it is not always the best option for long-term employment.
Because freelancers are not considered full-time employees,
they are not offered medical insurance through the...