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Free agent (business)

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Person who works independently instead of being employed

In business, free agents are people who work independently for themselves, rather than for a single employer. The term "free agent" is believed to have been coined by American writer Daniel H. Pink, author of a 1997 cover story in Fast Company titled “Free Agent Nation.” In 2001 Pink published a book with the same name. The combination of several workplace trends – including shortened job cycles, the increase of project work, the acceptance of a new lifestyle and the emergence of the Internet and other technologies – points to free agent workers becoming more of an employment norm in the coming years. In a 2011 survey sponsored by Kelly Services, free agency is on the rise across all generations, with mature workers making up two-thirds of the free agent population. The survey also revealed that 73% of free agents voluntarily choose this workstyle because they seek the freedom, flexibility and entrepreneurial benefits associated with an independent workstyle.

Effects on Employers

According to Pink and his peers, the free agent trend has measurably benefited numerous U.S. companies. Kinko’s, now FedEx Kinko's, restructured itself in 1992 in response to the free agent trend, resulting in a $214 million investment less than four years later by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.

See also

References

  1. Business & Legal Reports: Study: Free-Agent Workforce Grows
  2. "Fast Company: Free Agent Nation". Archived from the original on 2006-10-16. Retrieved 2007-01-19.
  3. "Changes in the Labor Market Leads to Increase in Free Agent". Kelly Services. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  4. "Free Agent, Free Spirit". Fast Company. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
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