The ‘New Work’ megatrend: From projects to gig work

Guest contribution by Stephan Jung – expert in innovation, disruption and megatrends:

Imagine working spontaneously from a mountain hut or the beach – what once sounded utopian is now everyday reality for many. The megatrend of New Work is fundamentally changing how we work, but also where, when and with whom. The shift from traditional permanent employment to flexible gig work is in full swing – and those who don’t go along with it risk being left behind.

What does New Work mean?

New Work, coined by social philosopher Frithjof Bergmann, stands for a reorientation of our understanding of work:

• Flexibility instead of rigid hours: away from the strict 9-to-5, towards individual working hours.
• Location independence instead of compulsory attendance: work where you are productive – in the office, at home or on the road.
• Flat structures instead of hierarchies: more personal responsibility, fewer rigid management levels.
• Self-determination instead of external control: meaningful activities instead of merely fulfilling obligations.

While New Work describes the overarching concept, the gig economy is a concrete manifestation of it – a labour market for short-term, flexible jobs, often mediated via digital platforms.

From project to gig work

In music jargon, ‘gig’ means ‘performance’. Accordingly, people in the gig economy live from job to job. The term emerged in the United States around 2009, when platforms such as Uber and Lyft were created. Especially during the 2008 financial crisis, many people who had been laid off took on several small jobs to make ends meet.

Today, the gig economy is no longer a marginal phenomenon. Around 36% of the working population in the US – approximately 58 million people – now work on a self-employed basis. In 2016, the figure was 27%. In the UK, the number of gig workers has doubled: around 4.7 million people, or one in ten adults, earn at least part of their income through platform work.

Flexibility vs. security

The new world of work brings both opportunities and risks. There are two sides to the tension between freedom and security:

The advantages:

• Flexibility and autonomy: You decide when and where you work.
• Variety instead of routine: Diverse projects instead of monotonous tasks.
• Work-life balance: 44% of independent workers cite a better work-life balance as their main reason.
• Global opportunities: Collaboration with clients and projects worldwide.

The downsides:

• Financial uncertainty: No guaranteed income, fluctuating order situation.
• Lack of social security: Over 54% of gig workers have no access to company social benefits.
• High level of personal responsibility: Further training and provision for the future are the sole responsibility of the individual.
• Isolation: Less direct interaction with colleagues.

This ambivalence is reflected in studies: 62% of independent workers would prefer permanent employment if they had the choice.

Industries in transition

The trend towards gig work is affecting almost all sectors of the economy. It is particularly visible in:

• Technology & creative industries: Software developers, designers and copywriters work on a project basis via platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr.
• Transport & logistics: Services such as Uber, Lyft and Deliveroo employ self-employed drivers and couriers on demand.
• Crafts & care: Platforms such as TaskRabbit and MyHammer provide craftsmen, cleaners and care staff at short notice.
• Education & consulting: Lecturers, coaches and consultants are increasingly offering their expertise online.

Generations are changing the rules of the game

The change is being driven primarily by millennials and Generation Z. 30% of 18- to 29-year-olds have already worked via gig platforms – compared to only 18% of 30- to 49-year-olds.

Their expectations differ significantly from previous generations:

• Flexibility as a basic requirement: 82% of Gen Z expect at least some remote work.
• Work-life balance over career advancement: Overtime is seen as a sign of poor organisation.
• Meaningful work: Work should align with personal values.
• Development over hierarchy: Career means personal growth.

This attitude will shape the future – companies that want to compete for talent must adapt to it.

The hybrid future of work

The world of work is becoming hybrid: a mixture of permanent employment and project-based gig work. Companies are increasingly drawing on global talent pools, evaluating performance based on results rather than presence, and creating flexible models for permanent employees as well.

For individuals, this means that independent career planning and continuous professional development are a must. Many are already combining multiple sources of income – 55% of independent workers earn additional income on the side. According to forecasts, by 2027, more than half of the US workforce could be at least partially active in the gig economy.

Conclusion: adaptation is a must

The shift from project-based permanent employment to gig work is unstoppable. It offers enormous opportunities for anyone willing to let go of old ways of thinking and break new ground. The future belongs to those who actively shape it – not those who cling to the old.

Or, as I like to say: standing still is dangerous.

Contact future expert Stephan Jung for a lecture or workshop on ‘Shaping the Future of Work’ – [ PHONE] or stephan-jung@premium-speakers.com