The Corona crisis has massively accelerated the trend toward flexible work
A survey by Coople provides insights into the new world of work: a large proportion of employers are unaware of the rights of flexworkers, planning is much more short-term in the Corona year, and flexible working is now a career option.
For the survey, Coople asked Swiss HR and management staff about their knowledge regarding the rights of flexible workers, their assessment of the current situation on the labor market, and their use of flexible workers. Surprisingly, it turns out that 80% of the respondents do not know the rights of flexible workers. 51 percent are not aware that external flexible workers are entitled to vacation compensation. 56 percent are unaware that there is a right to sick leave benefits. And only 18 percent are aware that external, temporary employees have a right to continuing education.
"When employees are hired via flexible platforms, they enjoy equivalent social security compared to permanent employees under the Swiss Code of Obligations," explains Yves Schneuwly, Managing Director of Coople Switzerland. This is tailored to the needs of people working flexibly, he says, and the benefits range from insurance and retirement provisions to financial participation in further training.
Digitization has established Flexwork
Digitization has transformed flexwork from a stopgap solution into an established, because contemporary, form of work for employees. They can create their online profiles themselves and constantly improve them through good evaluations.
"Flexworkers are not second-rate employees," Schneuwly emphasizes. "They are often very ambitious and use flex work to create opportunities for career advancement." Personnel are sought for both short- and long-term staffing assignments, he says.
Importance of flexibility increases
Fifty-nine percent of the companies surveyed said flexibility was important to very important. Whereas before Covid-19, planning was most likely four to 12 months in advance, now it's more likely one to three months. That's a planning timeframe that often can't be met with new permanent hires - flexible work is needed. "The trend toward flexible working has been accentuated significantly by the Corona crisis - similar to digitalization. Flexible work means best opportunities in good times - and in bad times it has become essential," Schneuwly says. And: "By 2025, companies could employ more than a third of their workforce as flexible workers."
The platform for flexible staffing solutions Coople surveyed nearly 200 HR and management staff from small, medium-sized and larger Swiss companies between September 8 and 13, 2020, about their knowledge regarding the rights of flexible workers, their assessment of the current situation on the labor market, and their use of flexible workers.
