While employers see the benefits of gig workforce, managing a contingent workforce is more complex, and compliance and regulatory requirements make many hesitant to jump in. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Employees these days want flexibility. In fact, if they don't get it, they're likely to look elsewhere for work.

So finds the 2018 Emerging Workforce study from Spherion Staffing Services, which finds that not only has the percentage of contingent workers risen substantially just in the past year—from 15 percent in 2017 to 29 percent this year—but the percentage of workers who say they'll only work for a company that “offers agile employment opportunities” is a substantial 41 percent.

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Marlene Satter

Marlene Y. Satter has worked in and written about the financial industry for decades.