The pandemic reinforced a growing view that traditional jobs are riskier and less secure than they once were. (Photo: Shutterstock)
An unprecedented number of American workers are declaring their independence. "The pandemic accelerated an inevitable tipping point for the modernization of work, as evidenced by the 51 million independent workers in America," said Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners. "In the new work landscape, independence is not only mainstream but a vital part of the American economy and workforce."
Recommended For You
MBO Partners recently studied changing attitudes about work. Researchers highlighted five key insights.
Side hustle to the rescue. The economy has reopened, but many Americans are unemployed or have had their hours reduced. Seventy-three percent of those who started working as a part-time independent said supplementing their income was the reason.
Women respond to the "shecession." Eleven million women lost their jobs during the pandemic, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. Women fought back by seeking work that enabled them to earn income in a way that fits into their demanding schedules. More than half of the new independents are female.
Risk is relative. The pandemic reinforced a growing view that traditional jobs are riskier and less secure than they once were. This view is reflected in the study, with nearly seven in 10 full-time independents indicating that working independently is more secure than having a traditional job.
Younger generations lean into freedom. About two-thirds of new independent workers who started their business in the past year are Gen Zers or millennials.
This way to independence. Today, the road to independence has become easier and less expensive, thanks to online platforms and companies embracing an independent workforce. Among those who began as independent workers over the previous year, 40% report using online talent platforms that make it easier for workers and enterprises to do business together. Further, 72% cite social media as an important tool for building their brand and reputation.
"How workers think about and approach work has been evolving over the past decade, with more and more people choosing to be independent workers," researchers concluded. "The global pandemic has accelerated the Great Realization, a trend in which workers are re-examining the ways they choose to pursue careers, find professional and personal fulfillment, and manage their income and lifestyles."
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Alan Goforth
Alan Goforth is a freelance writer in suburban Kansas City. In addition to freelancing for several publications, he has written a dozen books about sports and other topics.
