Laid-off US workers turn to freelancing
According to a survey by talent platform Fiverr, 77% of US workers who were affected by recent layoffs are planning to explore new industries. The report also revealed that many of these laid-off workers are interested in pursuing freelance work, in addition to changing careers.
Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman explained that the economic downturn, especially in the tech sector, has prompted a “talent migration” as skilled workers reconsider their career priorities and seek alternative work opportunities. Freelancing has become an appealing option for many laid-off workers who want more control over their careers, as observed on Fiverr’s platform.
The survey found that 33% of respondents plan to freelance while looking for a new job, and 34% plan to maintain a side hustle even after returning to full-time work. Sign-ups for freelancers providing programming and tech services notably increased in January 2023 compared to the previous year, following layoffs in the tech sector.
The report also indicated that 32% of respondents who did not want to return to full-time employment cited a lack of trust, while 56% appreciated the flexibility of not having a 9-5 job.
Fiverr partnered with Censuswide to conduct the survey among 501 white-collar or office workers in the US who reported being laid off in the last three months. The data was collected between March 8 and March 20.
