self-reported data

Contingent Worker Supplement (CWS)

Shelly Steward — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 03:27:56 +0000

Contingent Worker Supplement (CWS) Shelly Steward Wed, 06/06/2018 - 23:27

How is it collected?

The CWS is a supplement to the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) by the Census Bureau for BLS. The CPS in collected via telephone and in person among all non-institutionalized persons age 16 and over. About 60,000 households are sampled each month. The supplement was administered to a sample of respondents who reported working for pay in the past week.

Who collects it?

The CWS is administered by the Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What is it measuring?

The Contingent Worker Supplement (CWS) estimates the number of American workers in contingent and alternative arrangements as their main job in the past week. Contingent arrangements are short-term or temporary jobs, which workers do not expect to last. Alternative arrangements are particular types of relationships between workers and the individual or company who pays them, including 1) independent contractors, 2) temporary help agency workers, 3) on-call workers, and 4) workers provided by contract firms. It also gathers information on demographics, industry, and access to benefits.

In 2017 and 2023, respondents were asked if they used online platforms to arrange jobs or tasks, either online or offline.

What does it tell us?

In 2023, 10.2 percent of the workforce were engaged in alternative arrangements as their main job, including 7.4 percent as independent contractors, 2.8 1.7 as on-call workers, and 0.5 percent as contract firm workers. 4.3 percent had contingent jobs, which they did not expect to last. There was some overlap between these two categories.

In 2017, 10.1 percent of the workforce was engaged in alternative arrangements as their main job, and 3.8 percent was engaged in contingent arrangements. There was slight overlap between the two categories. About 1 percent of the workforce used apps to arrange work.

In 2005, 10.7 percent of the workforce was engaged in an alternative arrangements as their main job in the past week. 4.1 percent of the workforce was engaged in a contingent work arrangement.

Considerations

The CWS is one of the most rigorous studies of alternative work. However, it only asks about workers' main jobs—the job for which they worked the most hours—meaning it leaves out any supplemental or occasional work. In addition, it relies on workers correctly self-identifying their own employment arrangement.

How to access this data?

Data, when available, can be found on the BLS website.

Study tags

independent contractors

Reports

Contingent and Alternative Employment Arrangements - May 2017; 2018; Bureau of Labor Statistics; US Department of Labor;

Contingent and Alternative Employment Arrangements - July 2023; 2024; Bureau of Labor Statistics; US Department of Labor;

General Social Survey

ilrweb admin — Fri, 11 May 2018 19:11:11 +0000

General Social Survey ilrweb admin Fri, 05/11/2018 - 15:11

How is it collected?

The GSS uses a probability sample of the American population and consists primarily of in-person interviews. It is conducted biennially, with a sample of approximately 3,000. Different modules, or sets of questions, are asked in different years. The Quality of Working Life Module was most recently collected in 2010 and 2014. In 2014, the response rate was 69.2 percent.

Who collects it?

The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, with support from the National Science Foundation.

What is it measuring?

The General Social Survey (GSS) collects a wide range of information on the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors of Americans. The Quality of Worklife Module asks questions about work arrangements, asking respondents if they are independent contractors/consultants/freelancers, temp-agency workers, on-call workers, contract-company workers, or regular, permanent employees. The module also asks a range of questions about work conditions and experiences, satisfaction, and earnings and benefits.

What does it tell us?

In 2014, 20.3 percent of the population was engaged in independent contracting, on-call, temp-agency, or contract-company work as their main job.

Considerations

The GSS is designed to gauge attitudes, behaviors, and relative counts, rather than to estimate the overall size of particular groups. In addition, questions about work arrangements are only asked among respondents who identified as employed, and so self-employed individuals are not included in the above numbers.

How to access this data?

GSS data are available via the GSS website directly, the GSS Data Explorer, the Roper Center, and ICPSR.

Study tags

demographics

independent contractors

Reports

Contingent Workforce: Size, Characteristics, Earnings, and Benefits; 2015; GAO; GAO;

The Gig Economy: Research and Policy Implications of Regional, Economic, and Demographic Trends; 2017; Ben Gitis, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, and Will Rinehart; American Action Forum and Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative;

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American Life Panel

ilrweb admin — Fri, 11 May 2018 19:08:12 +0000

American Life Panel ilrweb admin Fri, 05/11/2018 - 15:08

How is it collected?

This one-time 2015 survey was administered through the RAND American Life Panel, an online panel recruited using a compilation of methods, including a group recruited for the University of Michigan Internet panel, a random-digit-dial sample, and a snowball sample. There were 3,850 responses, and a response rate of 63.9 percent. Results were weighted to increase representativeness.

Who collects it?

Economists Lawrence Katz of Harvard and Alan Krueger of Princeton contracted RAND to collect the data as part of its American Life Panel.

What is it measuring?

The number of workers who report being engaged in alternative work arrangements as their main job, including temp-agency, on-call, contract-company and freelancing work. In addition, the survey asks about online platform participation, industry, and income level.

What does it tell us?

The original analysis estimated that 15.8 percent of the workforce held an independent work arrangement as their main job the prior week, including freelancing, temp-agency, contract-company, and on-call work. In 2019, the authors released a revised paper, adjusting for cyclical effects and methodological differences, and estimated that the rise in alternative arrangements between 2005 and 2015 was 1 to 2 percentage points, rather than 5.

Considerations

The results are not fully comparable to the BLS CWS, due to differences in sampling and response, as discussed by the authors in the 2019 working paper. Although it was a helpful measure in between iterations of the CWS, it is not as relevant today.

How to access this data?

RAND ALP data are available to registered researchers.

Study tags

demographics

independent contractors

Reports

Understanding Trends in Alternative Work Arrangements in the United States; 2019; Lawrence Katz and Alan Krueger; NBER;

The Rise and Nature of Alternative Work Arrangements in the United States, 1995-2015; 2016; Lawrence Katz and Alan Krueger; NBER;

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Survey of Household Economic Decisionmaking (SHED)

ilrweb admin — Fri, 11 May 2018 19:01:27 +0000

Survey of Household Economic Decisionmaking (SHED) ilrweb admin Fri, 05/11/2018 - 15:01

How is it collected?

The SHED, conducted annually since 2013, uses an online consumer research panel recruited based on address-based sampling. In 2024, 12,393 completed the survey, with a cumulative response rate of 4 percent.

Who collects it?

The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the U.S., which maintains an active economic research agenda.

What is it measuring?

The Federal Reserve's Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED) examines the economic well-being of American households, asking a range of questions about income, work, and spending.

From 2016 to 2021, the survey included a measure of participation in informal income-earning activities, or gig work. In 2022 and 2023, the survey did not ask about gig work directly, but did ask about irregular schedules and autonomy at work. The 2024 survey again asked about gig activities, defined as "activities that people did to earn money but that many people may think of differently than a traditional job." Examples given are selling items such as clothing or handmade crafts; renting property or a vehicle; and doing self-contained short-term tasks such as hanging pictures for someone, delivering takeout, or giving rides to people using an app.

What does it tell us?

In 2024, 20 percent of adults has participated in gig work in the past month. This includes 10 percent who sold things, 2 percent who offered short-term rentals, and 9 percent who performed short-term tasks. Four percent used apps to arrange tasks.

Only 21 percent of people who did gig work said it was their main job. An overwhelming 96 percent typically spent less than 35 hours per week on gig work.

In 2021, 16 percent of adults had participated in gig work in the past month.

Considerations

The questions about gig and informal work on the SHED have been somewhat inconsistent, but it remains a very helpful measure. It avoids jargon and confusing terms for respondents, often using examples, and is likely to catch types of work not reflected in other surveys. Many of the changes over time are rooted in authors' continued attempts to better understand how people think about gig work and respond to questions.

Some types of work typically considered non-standard, such as temp agency or subcontracted work, would not be counted.

How to access this data?

SHED data are publicly available from the Federal Reserve Board.

Study tags

Reports

Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2024; 2025; Consumer and Community Development Research Section; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2022; 2023; Consumer and Community Development Research Section; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2021; 2022; Consumer and Community Development Research Section; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2020; 2021; Consumer and Community Development Research Section; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2019; 2020; Consumer and Community Development Research Section; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2018; 2019; Consumer and Community Development Research Section; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2017; 2018; Consumer and Community Development Research Section; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

Exploring Online and Offline Informal Work: Findings from the Enterprising and Informal Work Activities (EIWA) Survey; 2016; Barbara Robles and Marysol McGee; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

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American Opportunity Survey

ilrweb admin — Fri, 11 May 2018 19:00:11 +0000

American Opportunity Survey ilrweb admin Fri, 05/11/2018 - 15:00

How is it collected?

Through an online survey conducted in spring 2022. There were 25,062 respondents, weighted to be more demographically representative.

Who collects it?

McKinsey Global Institute, the business and economics research arm of McKinsey.

What is it measuring?

McKinsey Global Institute's American Opportunity Survey focuses on economic obstacles and opportunities for people in the U.S. This survey asked about people's participation in contract, freelance, temporary, or gig work, along with demographics, outlook, and overall economic position.

What does it tell us?

36 percent of surveyed workers were engaged in contract, freelance, temporary, or gig work in some capacity. These workers tended to be younger and have lower incomes. Nearly half of all immigrants included in the survey were gig workers. Gig workers reported challenges accessing health insurance and basic needs like food, housing, and transportation.

In 2016, MGI conducted a different survey, which found that 27 percent of workers engaged in some form of gig work.

Considerations

Online surveys are not fully representative and may undercount those with lower incomes, less education, without internet access, and who are older, among other characteristics.

How to access this data?

Privately held by McKinsey Global Institute

Study tags

Reports

Independent Work: Choice, Necessity, and the Gig Economy Report; 2016; James Manyika, Susan Lund, Jacques Bughin, Kelsey Robinson, Jan Mischke, Deepa Mahajan; McKinsey Global Institute;

Freelance, Side Hustles, and Gigs; 2022; André Dua, Kweilin Ellingrud, Bryan Hancock, Ryan Luby, Anu Madgavkar, and Sarah Pemberton; McKinsey Global Institute;

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State of Independence in America

ilrweb admin — Fri, 11 May 2018 18:54:15 +0000

State of Independence in America ilrweb admin Fri, 05/11/2018 - 14:54

How is it collected?

Through an online survey administered by Emergent Research and Illuminas, with 6,575 respondents in 2024. Responses were weighted demographically to represent the population. 2024 was the 14th year the State of Independence survey has been administered.

Who collects it?

MBO Partners, a business services company marketed toward independent professionals, contracts Emergent Research and Illuminas to conduct the annual survey. Earlier iterations were contracted to Emergent Research and Rockbridge Associates.

What is it measuring?

The number of workers with "independent arrangements," including consultants, freelancers, contractors, temporary, and on-call workers. It also asks about their experiences and satisfaction.

What does it tell us?

In 2024, 72.7 million adults in America participated in independent arrangements - up only slightly from 72.1 million in 2023 - representing about 43 percent of the workforce both years. The survey reported consistent increases in its measure of independent arrangements from 2011 to 2019, before a considerable decline in 2020, which authors attributed to the pandemic-related disruptions. It has observed growth again from 2020 to 2023, leveling off last year.

Considerations

Online surveys are unlikely to be representative of the population, with educated and higher-income workers likely to be overrepresented. Although many consider full-time to mean 40 hours per week, this survey counts anything above 15 hours per week as full-time.

How to access this data?

Privately held by MBO Partners

Study tags

freelancers

independent contractors

Reports

The State of Independence in America Report; 2024; Emergent Research; MBO Partners;

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Gig Workers in America

ilrweb admin — Fri, 11 May 2018 18:52:57 +0000

Gig Workers in America ilrweb admin Fri, 05/11/2018 - 14:52

How is it collected?

This one-time survey was conducted in 2017, distributed to adults who had agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys. 1,491 workers were surveyed, including 721 gig workers.

Who collects it?

Prudential commissioned Harris Poll to conduct the survey.

What is it measuring?

Income, access to benefits, and experiences of workers who provide service or labor and work for themselves.

What does it tell us?

Those who rely on gig work as their only source of income earn less and have less access to benefits than full-time traditional employees.

Considerations

Online panels are unlikely to be representative of the population. These findings point to interesting differences between gig only, supplemental gig, and traditional workers, but the data is not able to speak to the prevalence of these arrangements.

How to access this data?

Privately held by Prudential

Study tags

benefits

demographics

independent contractors

Reports

Gig Workers in America: Profiles, Mindsets, and Financial Wellness; 2017; Harris Poll; Prudential;

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Freelance Forward

ilrweb admin — Fri, 11 May 2018 18:51:25 +0000

Freelance Forward ilrweb admin Fri, 05/11/2018 - 14:51

How is it collected?

Through an online survey administered by Edelman Intelligence, with 3,000 total respondents including 1,142 freelancers. The sample was intended to be demographically representative.

Who collects it?

Upwork, an online freelancing platform, commissions Edelman Inteligence to conduct the survey.

This survey was known as Freelancing in America and collected in partnership with Freelancers Union, an advocacy organization for freelance workers, from 2014 to 2019.

What is it measuring?

This survey counts the number of workers who engaged in any supplemental, temporary, project- or contract-based work at any point in the past 12 months. It also asks a wide range of questions about the outlooks, experiences, satisfaction, and challenges of these workers.

What does it tell us?

In 2023, 38 percent of workers engaged in freelance work in some capacity, representing 64 million people. Since the first iteration of the survey in 2014, this has increased modestly from 34 percent.

Considerations

The survey has a particularly broad time frame for engagement in independent work, including any activity that has been done in the past year. It also includes some vague questions, leaving respondents to rely on their own interpretations of terms like "full-time." Online surveys, in addition, are unlikely to be fully representative of the population.

How to access this data?

Privately held by Upwork.

Study tags

benefits

demographics

freelancers

independent contractors