2009 survey presentation
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
INDEPENDENT, INNOVATIVE, AND UNPROTECTED:
How the Old Safety Net Is Failing America’s New Workforce
![Page 2: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Thank you for joining us
Joining us from Freelancers Union:Sara Horowitz Founder & Executive DirectorChristian Skotte Manager of Marketing &
Communications Althea Erickson Associate Director of Advocacy & Policy Rose Auerbach memberJon Pierre memberJenny Troester member
Format: • Introductions• Survey findings• Members’ stories• Questions from the press
![Page 3: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
America’s New Workforce
Who is the new workforce?
• Freelancers, consultants, independent contractors, temps, part-timers, contingent employees, and the self-employed
• 42 million workers, comprising 30% of the workforce
• Predicted to reach 40% by 2019
• Freelancers Union membership has doubled in the last two years
![Page 4: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
The new workforce during a recession
Freelancers’ income has been declining dramatically:
![Page 5: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Top issues facing freelancers
1.Not having
enough work
2.Clients whodon’t pay
3.The high cost ofhealth insurance
![Page 6: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
2009 Survey Respondents
3,155 freelancers responded• From 49 states across the U.S.
• 57% women
• 43% men
• Average age: 45
![Page 7: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Unemployment
Independent workers are struggling more than most: • 81% did not have enough work
• 49% experienced periods without any work
• 32% experienced periods where they wanted more work
• 12% relied on some form of government assistance
(doubled since 2007 survey)
But they don’t qualify for unemployment insurance.
![Page 8: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Nonpayment
Independent workers are hurt by unpaid wages:
•
40% had trouble
getting paid
• They lost $6,000 on average• They spent 17,000 hours total
pursuing unpaid wages
But they can’t file unpaid wage claims like traditionalworkers.
![Page 9: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Health Insurance
Freelancers must buy their own health insurance. The recession forced many to go without.
• 14% went without insurance (up 2% from previous year)• 18% were forced to give it up (up 5%)• 35% cut back their coverage (up 6%)
Currently, individual plans on the market cost 300% morethan group plans.
![Page 10: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Recommendations
Modernizing America’s Outdated Safety Net:Building sustainable, innovative solutions to protect workers inthe new economy
• Expand Unemployment Protection
• Expand Worker Protections to Include Independent Workers
• Increase Independent Workers’ Access to Affordable, Portable Benefits
![Page 11: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Survey Respondent
“It's a difficult time to be a self-employed American. There's a lot of talk about small independent businesses helping to stimulate the economy, but the government seems to be helping everyone but
us.”
- Jason, freelance art director from Brooklyn
![Page 12: 2009 survey presentation](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032706/55d53645bb61eb7b088b45cf/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Learn More
For more stories and facts about how America’s outdated safety net is failing the new workforce, click below:
Read the report summary
Read the full report