Against a bluey green background on the lefthand side is written “Workforce mobility and the gig economy” in white writing. To the right, emerging from the background colour, five hands bump fists above a desk that contains laptop computers, mobile phones and plug sockets. On the bottom left it says, “Vision 2030 the future of talent mobility.” The RES Forum logo is in the bottom right.

Written by a CEO and founder in the mobility industry

 

A growing economy

Workforce mobility has greatly benefited from the gig economy. Destination service companies utilize gig workers to enhance their on-the-ground presence, while cultural awareness firms employ contract workers for training. Adding movers, attorneys, title companies, and relocation networks creates a robust economy with diverse players, ranging from sole proprietors to large corporations, all contributing to an ecosystem focused on placing the right talent in the right location at the right time.

According to Daniel Martinez's "Gen Z And the Gig Economy: Flexibility Meets Independence," about 56% of Gen Z workers are engaged in freelance or independent work, compared to 36% of the overall workforce. Projections indicate that more than 80 million workers will be employed in the gig economy by 2027, up from the current estimate of around 50 million. A 2020 Intuit report also noted that 80% of large corporations plan to increase their use of freelancers in the future, and workforce mobility is no exception.

There are numerous reasons to consider freelance employees. It is more sustainable, as people can work from their homes or local areas, reducing their carbon footprint. The overall cost and risk associated with full-time employees are also lower. Quality of life improves as individuals can provide services they are passionate about, and control their workload, leading to a better experience for transferring employees and their families. Additionally, using gig workers as service providers gives employees immediate access to local resources, helping them acclimate more quickly.

 

Is mobility being left behind?

Our industry has been slow to change and innovate, but the current climate demands that leaders think outside the box. Various technological solutions can help find the right resources to enhance the overall experience while reducing costs. Procurement platforms like Supplier Gateway and Coupa allow members to search for local small businesses that offer services such as home cleaning, landscaping, moving, mental health and wellness coaching, and more. Many of these companies are solopreneurs who take on short-term projects or retained services, providing exceptional and localized support to employees and their families.

By building local relationships through gig work, companies create economic opportunities, community partnerships, brand enhancement, sustainable practices, and cost savings for their clients. Moreover, younger generations are adept at using technology to stay informed, enabling contracting companies to address issues or areas for improvement promptly.

Solopreneurs are also emerging to fill specific roles within the ecosystem. For example, Bloom Relocation offers customizable checklists for people moving, while Mia Bazo helps employees track their carbon footprint and travel to mitigate compliance risks. Platforms like Runner and Upwork provide freelance executives for short-term projects such as creating employee handbooks, conducting voice-of-the-customer / focus group consulting, leadership development, policy writing, and RFP management. These roles can be fulfilled by fractional resources or experienced gig workers.

 

Time to embrace the gig economy?

Barring compliance issues, an interesting question is what it would look like for an RMC to employ a home / host model domestically and use gig workers as local consultants, creating a more personable experience for the employee and their family?  As benefits change, and margins tighten, this could be a way to create a contingent workforce when you need them, reducing overall costs while improving overall value.

By embracing the gig economy, the workforce mobility industry can adapt to changing demands, leverage diverse talents, and create a more flexible and sustainable future.

RES Forum research

This piece was written for the RES Forum research paper Vision 2030 – the future of talent mobility. Released in January 2025, the paper looks ahead to the world of international and cross-border work in 2030. As well as a comprehensive industry-led piece of research, the paper also explores three potential visions of life and work in half a decade’s time. These scenarios were created following numerous conversations and represent a view of global work in 2030. In response to these visions, we gathered a selection of perspectives from across the RES Forum community. This is one of a selection of pieces to be released alongside the research paper.