From Employee to “Contributor” – The Future Worker Redefined
ATLANTA – March 7, 2024 – By 2025, the term “contributor” is expected to better define workers than “employee,” according to 47% of companies and 57% of workers. This insight comes from a study conducted by TecBeans, a leading HR services and staffing company in the U.S. The Workplace 2025 study explored the perspectives of over 1,500 HR executives and 3,100 workers nationwide, revealing that most respondents prefer the term “contributor,” which is defined as “any individual who supplies effort toward an organization’s business objectives and goals.”
The survey highlighted significant shifts in how today’s workforce views job security, employer commitment, and career growth, with many embracing agile work arrangements alongside traditional full-time roles.
“Our study clearly forecasts a future workforce made up of diverse talent arrangements, including permanent, contingent, contract, freelance, consultant, full-time, part-time, temporary, and more,” said Jim Link, Chief Human Resources Officer at TecBeans. “A workforce consisting solely of traditional workers is becoming outdated. Employer-employee dynamics are shifting, and workers increasingly seek agile roles enabled by technological advancements and globalization. Given these shifts, it’s time to reconsider the term ’employee.'”
Job Security in Agile Work Arrangements
The study reveals that nearly 38% of workers feel more secure in agile roles compared to traditional positions. As Millennials and Gen Z contributors begin to dominate the workforce, they bring with them a stronger desire for autonomy and flexibility. The Workplace 2025 study found that Gen Z and Millennials report feeling the most secure when working in agile capacities, compared to older generations.
Modern Pathways to Career Growth
The outdated belief that career progression follows a strict, linear climb up the corporate ladder has evolved. Many workers now recognize that career success is best achieved by learning new skills, exploring diverse work environments, and building a broad career portfolio. An increasing number of younger workers are prioritizing job rotation and varied experiences over traditional promotions.
The ability to grow their careers and increase earning potential is a primary driver behind this shift. According to the study, 78% of Gen Z and 71% of Millennials believe that changing jobs periodically has positively impacted both their career trajectory and earnings.
Commitment Remains Permanent, Even if the Worker Isn’t
The Workplace 2025 study also shows that today’s workers don’t define commitment to an employer by how they’re engaged. In fact, 76% of workers report being just as committed to their employer while working in an agile capacity. Furthermore, 85% agree that as long as workers deliver the necessary skills and results, their employment status doesn’t matter.
As the workforce adapts to the fast-changing economy and labor market, more workers are choosing agile roles to navigate these shifts. “The concept of a new term for ’employee’ will likely continue to evolve,” says Link. “One key takeaway from our study is that effective talent recruitment will align with the ability to adapt to agile work. Flexibility in how, when, and where contributors work is essential now and in the future.”
About the Study
The TecBeans Workplace 2025 study is part of a series of research initiatives designed to forecast key disruptions and trends shaping the future of work. The research was based on two projects conducted by Research Now: an employee survey of 3,168 respondents, fielded from July 27 to August 29, 2023, and an employer study of 1,504 hiring decision-makers and c-suite executives, conducted from July 27 to August 2, 2023. The employee survey targeted individuals over 18 employed for at least 20 hours per week.
About TecBeans
TecBeans is a leading provider of HR services, staffing solutions, and workforce management. Combining a human touch with cutting-edge digital HR technologies, TecBeans helps businesses secure and manage a dynamic workforce across industries such as engineering, finance, healthcare, IT, legal, manufacturing, logistics, office administration, sales, and marketing. Learn more at www.tecbeans.com and explore TecBeans’ Workforce360 for valuable insights on the latest economic indicators and HR trends shaping the future of work.
