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Jennifer J. Deal, PhD, is a senior research scientist at the Center for Creative Leadership (San Diego) who manages the World Leadership Survey. She is the author of Retiring the Generation Gap (Jossey-Bass, 2007).

Jennifer Deal

August 2019 - TD Magazine

Generation X-tinct?

Effectively pairing personality assessments with people analytics presents talent leaders with four ways to reduce Millennial turnover and improve long-term organizational fit.

2 Keys to Millennial Retention: Personality Assessments and People Analytics

Summer 2012 - The Public Manager

Motivated by the Mission Or by Their Careers

With a degree in marketing management, certifications in sales methodology coaching, consulting, and message creating, as well as learning and levelopment program management; Jennifer Robinson has spent the last 20+ years up-leveling her skills and following her vision. She found her niche over the last 12 years “out of the ivory tower and into the weeds” – focused on how sales enablement can be a lynchpin; aligning sales across marketing, product, operations, and other business functions to move deals forward and shorten sales cycles. You can reach Jennifer through LinkedIn, her blog, and Twitter.

Jennifer Robinson

They're creating computer code, carting food and passengers around in their own cars, and popping in monthly for a project meeting. What's their story? Are these occasional workers underemployed, unable to secure a salaried job? Are they Millennials and Generation Z-ers sampling different occupations before they commit to a career? Or Baby Boomers making some extra cash to supplement their retirement savings?They could be any of those―or none of them. Meet the gig workers, a burgeoning population in the labor force that is changing the way company leaders look at workforce planning and the way people view work."As individuals have entered the workforce and evolved, they are asking for more flexibility," says Kurt Heikkinen, president and CEO of staffing company Montage. And, as access to health insurance has become increasingly separate from full-time employment, "workers have really gained a sense of freedom. They look at [their careers] as a series of gigs, a series of projects and experiences, as opposed to a long-term career at a given employer."Figure 1: Gig Workers Look Like the Broader WorkforceThe following charts illustrate the demographics of self-identified gig workers compared with those of the entire U.S. workforce. Source: Morning Consult.But these aren't the typical temp staffers of yore―the "Kelly Girl" secretaries and Manpower workers who filled in for office staff when an employer had a hole in the schedule. Nor are they limited to the classic freelancers in creative fields―writers, editors, musicians, and graphic artists. Nowadays, gig workers run the gamut, from Uber drivers to IT technicians to travel nurses. And they are an integral and growing part of the knowledge economy.Many businesses have embraced this pipeline of on-demand talent. Yet, despite all the promise of the gig economy, it is a work in progress. The rules are still being written as companies and workers alike adjust to new ways of getting work done.Two Types of Gig WorkersGig work itself is not new. "People have always worked this way," but the prevalence and types of gig jobs have changed over the years, says Diane Mulcahy, author of The Gig Economy: The Complete Guide to Getting Better Work, Taking More Time Off, and Financing the Life You Want (Amacom, 2016). "This kind of work is growing at a rapid rate," she says, particularly in white-collar jobs and the tech economy.There are two types of gig workers, Mulcahy says: first, those who are searching for full-time work and need to make some cash and contacts while they job-hunt and, second, those who simply don't want or need full-time employment.The latter group includes a lot of younger people, for whom the idea of a 40-years-and-you-get-a-gold-watch kind of job is something their grandparents did. They aren't attracted to what they see as an outdated model of sticking with one company―or even one profession―for an extended time. But this group also includes retired or semi-retired people who may or may not need the money but who want to stay engaged and active regardless. And there are also mid-career folks who want the flexibility and freedom of doing what they want more or less when they want, drawing on years of experience to cherry-pick appealing projects.In the United States, more than 40 percent of workers are employed in "alternative work arrangements," such as contingent, part-time, or gig work, according to Deloitte's 2018 Global Human Capital Trends study. In a 2016 Adobe survey, 56 percent of office workers predicted that everyone will do some gig work in the future. Asked to look ahead to 2020, 28 percent of business leaders and chief human resource officers said they anticipated an increase in gig workers, the Deloitte study found."The vast majority [of gig workers] are folks who easily could go get [traditional full-time] jobs somewhere," says Lori Williams, vice president of fulfillment at Gigster, a software developer that has 80 employees on staff and works with 1,000 gig workers. "They've chosen this lifestyle."The top benefit of the arrangement for them is autonomy. They have greater control over their schedule and they can avoid routine annoyances such as bad managers, office politics, and interminable staff meetings. They also might learn new skills and gain valuable experience at a temporary stint, ultimately giving them the tools to advance in other gigs or in staff jobs.Employers, too, enjoy the perks of an open relationship, gaining access to skills and talent without having to commit to a full-time hire. And managers can supplement staff with gigsters who have the talent and knowledge not only to advance a project, but to teach regular employees new skills."It's really [about] how can we continue to scale as an organization?" says Vlasta Dusil, senior vice president of HR for computer technology company SAP's Cloud Business Group. "We talk about diversity, with gender, with different generations. In our view, this is another way of looking at diversity."Growing PainsStill, there are some drawbacks―for both sides. The "flexible schedule" so many people crave can lead to them being underemployed. The gig worker might also miss out on the advantages that come from committing to one employer. Among those advantages is professional development."How are these people going to train and develop and grow?" says Jennifer Graham-Johnson, SHRM-SCP, recently retired chief HR officer at WestRock Co., a paper and packaging products manufacturer."I do worry we are going to have a group of people who are . . . unable to advance" if they ever decide they want full-time employment because they haven't had the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge through training and classes.Then there's the issue of employee benefits.Gig workers don't get health insurance, paid time off, or 401(k) contributions from employers. Offering them the same perks that staff members get could set an employer up for legal challenges and negate savings typically associated with hiring gig workers.It could also harm recruiting efforts. After all, good benefits are one of the selling points companies use to attract full-time talent. Why would people want to join your team as full-time employees if they can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of gig work and get the same benefits as regular employees?The bigger issue may be that offering the same benefits to contractors and regular staff could get the company in trouble with the IRS, which has a 20-point test to determine whether workers are independent contractors or employees entitled to the employer-paid share of FICA taxes. Microsoft and other employers have had to pay millions of dollars in back taxes and damages after being sued by workers who said they were paid like independent contractors but treated like employees.Figure 2: What Motivates Gig Workers? Source: Shiftgig, Profile of a Gig Worker, 2018.Playing Catch-UpGovernment and businesses are lagging on other fronts related to the gig economy, too. Banks, for example, might be skittish about lending money to a potential homeowner who doesn't hold a permanent job. And gig workers don't get unemployment benefits, COBRA, or worker’s compensation.Companies can help fill the gaps. One way is to offer voluntary benefits that are fully paid for by the worker but administered by the employer. E-commerce website Etsy, for example, has partnered with Stride Health to act as a health insurance broker for the people who create the art, jewelry, and other items sold on Etsy.Still, the gig economy is clearly moving faster than the institutions that deal with these workers."I don't think we've caught up to this type of worker," says Arthur Tacchino, chief innovation officer at the compliance technology company SyncStream Solutions. "The workforce is changing. So how are the coverage, insurance, and benefits going to evolve to fit the newer kind of workforce we are seeing?" There's no clear to answer that, Tacchino says."Regulators and courts are trying to apply 20th-century law onto a 21st-century problem," says Richard Meneghello, an employment attorney and partner at Fisher Phillips. "Our hope is that once people realize it's not just a passing fad, regulators and legislators will get more serious."One agency trying to change with the times is the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is taking a fresh look at compensation for gig workers. The agency is considering revising its rules to make it easier for people who are classified as independent contractors to receive stock awards from the companies that employ them, the New York Times reported.While governments and financial institutions adjust, the market for gig workers is maturing, fueled by technology platforms that help both sides of the work arrangement find each other. Online labor platforms such as Upwork, Gigster, TaskRabbit, and Freelancer are not only empowering the gig economy, but revolutionizing the way workers and companies connect."The technology is making the whole market more efficient," says Marion McGovern, author of Thriving in the Gig Economy (Career Press, 2017) and co-founder and former CEO of M Squared Consulting.Upwork, for example, connects computer-industry freelancers in 170 countries to employers who need their services, charging the worker a fee of 5 percent to 20 percent of the job's pay. ShiftPixy and others hire workers (paying the employer share of payroll taxes and taking care of other compliance issues), then "lend" them to clients in the hospitality and restaurant industries. The company has an app that allows people to broadcast their availability and apply for certain shifts in their communities.As Uber was creating its digital platform for drivers, the job market for gig work was exploding, says Scott Absher, ShiftPixy's CEO. "People are looking for ways to recobble their income," and these platforms make that more efficient, he says.Managing the GigSo how do today's people managers handle gig workers, follow the law, and head off potential tensions with full-time staff? Some tips:Decide who will drive the decision-making on hiring. A simple procurement process may be enough to fill an open gig for an IT techie, while a speechwriter for a CEO will likely require input from the chief executive.Pay people promptly. "I can't tell you how many companies are on 60- to 90-day schedules" for contracts, McGovern says. But individuals expect to be paid faster and more often.Know the law—and do not treat gigsters like employees. In fact, don't even use the word "hire" to describe the working arrangement, advised Rebecca Cenni-Leventhal, founder and CEO of staffing and recruitment firm Atrium. People who work gigs are "engaged," not hired, she cautioned.Protect confidential company information. This is especially important when using outside contractors for a business dealing with sensitive client information, such as health data and Social Security numbers.Let your own staffers gig―even at your company. Since many workers crave the opportunity to learn something new, offer full-time staffers the chance to develop by giving them a gig in-house.Keep staffers and gigsters separate, when warranted. "Having [gig workers] participate in regular team meetings or asking them for regular updates and reporting is not wise," says Cenni-Leventhal, as that may cause them to be viewed as employees rather than independent contractors. "Inviting them to one holiday party isn't too much of a risk, but when you start having them participate in team-building activities and attending company functions, it can get tricky."Make your gig workers feel welcome and valued. "Make sure you afford them the correct level of respect," McGovern says. "This is someone who is going to add to the team, bringing in skills or knowledge and experience to help the effort."On top of that, she adds, it's important to recognize the dignity of their career choice. After all, it's a work arrangement more business leaders can expect to manage in the coming years.Copyright 2019, SHRM. This article is reprinted from www.shrm.org with permission from SHRM. All rights reserved.

Gig Workers Challenge Old Order

Jennifer Tomarchio has been a trusted strategic partner for global fortune 500 companies for nearly 20 years. She worked for First Data Corporation for 18 years in several different roles, as a trainer, training manager, and instructional designer. She’s now a freelance instructional designer and independent consultant, developing successful training programs for employees all over the world in a variety of industries, including payments/financial, energy, process management, customer service, retail, healthcare, and construction/industrial.  Jennifer has expertise in designing courses for classroom, virtual instructor-led, e-learning, blended and self-directed training delivery.Jennifer is accredited with Graduate Certificates in Training and Human Resources Development from FIU; and in Organization Development from Fielding University, and holds the CPLP (Certified Professional in Learning and Performance) credential from the American Society of Training &Development (ASTD). Jennifer has been a member of ASTD since 2005 and was president of the Fort Lauderdale chapter in 2008. Today, she volunteers as a National Advisor for Chapters for the Sunshine Area supporting all of the chapters in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Jennifer Tomarchio

Jennifer Hoff joined Capella in 2011 as the market lead for the School of Public Service Leadership. In 2014 she became the vice president and general manager of Capella's School of Nursing and Health Sciences. In her current role, Jennifer leads the dean and associated academic teams, along with the market director and enrollment and advising teams, to deliver high-quality and professionally aligned degree programs within the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. She is a member of the Bloom Early Learning Board of Directors and was recently selected as one of 30 women executives in the healthcare sector to coach and develop high potential women leaders in the Twin Cities healthcare community. Jennifer has a BA from the University of St. Thomas and is a graduate of Capella's MS Leadership program.

Jennifer Hoff

ATD Career Week 2015 (September 21-25), sponsored by Degreed, offers a great line-up of activities. Indeed, no matter where you are in your career journey, there’s something for you!Early CareerIf you’re thinking about changing careers or getting into the field of talent development for the first time, don’t miss the webcast, “How to Get Started in Talent Development,” on Monday, September 21st at 12:00 p.m. Facilitator Marilyn Feldstein will review potential careers tied to talent development and how to match your skills with what employers seek. Mid CareerIf you’ve been wondering whether or not to pursue your CPLP certification, this webcast can help you make an informed decision. ATD Certification Institute staff Jennifer Naughton and Diane Daly will answer your questions on Tuesday, September 22nd at 3:00 p.m. during the webcast, “Is CPLP Certification Right for You?”   What’s more, all week long, we will provide FREE access to the ATD Career Navigator, a tool that enables you to evaluate your skills against the ATD competency model. Typically a member-only benefit, this tool can help you to assess your professional readiness for new opportunities, as well as identify skill gaps that you may have for your current position. Access to this valuable tool at www.td.org/atd-career-navigator.  \[You will need to login to the site, but you will not need to be a member if you use this link\]. EveryoneMost people don’t enjoy networking, or they are unsure how to do it effectively. Join Dorie Clark, one of our members’ favorite speakers, on Wednesday, September 23rd at 3:00 p.m. for the webcast, “Stand Out: Networking.”Also, nearly 70 percent of training is still delivered in instructor-led courses. Yet, there are currently more than 1,200 sources of learning content in dozens of formats, and workers are increasingly choosing options that fit into how they learn on the job. Join Eric VanDerSluis, Comcast's senior director of talent and professional development, and Todd Tauber, Degreed’s vice president of product marketing, for the webcast, “Reinventing L&D for the Next Generation of Learners,” on Thursday, September 24th at 2:00 p.m.Looking for a New Opportunity?If you’re looking for a new opportunity, be sure to sign up for our Virtual Career Fair on Tuesday, September 22nd from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Or check out the most recent job postings on the ATD Job Bank.Career Development HelpPerhaps your managers need help developing effective IDP’s for their employees? Check out the new TD at Work, “Managers Guide to Employee Development” for a primer on how to talk to employees about career and development plans.Finally, be sure to take a look at the TD at Work Career Management Collection for three great issues of TD at Work that address how to keep your career and personal life on track.

Access Career First Aid During ATD Career Week 2015

Join ATD Certification Institute staff Jennifer Naughton and Diane Daly for an overview of the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) program.
This webcast is intended for individuals trying to decide if the CPLP program aligns with their career goals and who want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of the CPLP certification program. The presenters will cover information about the CPLP program’s policies and the requirements—eligibility, the CPLP Knowledge Exam, the Work Product assessment, and recertification. The presenters will allow time for questions.
 

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