Posts tagged side hustle

    ‘We Are Hopeful’ Q&A with Patrice Onwuka and Kim Kavin

    January 24, 2025 // Congress should consider enshrining the Trump-era definition for independent contractors, and/or consider ways to get ahead of the opposition to flexible work. The Employee Rights Act was a federal bill that, among many pro-worker provisions, sought to protect independent contractors as a counter to a national ABC Test in the now-defunct Protecting the Right to Organize Act. Portable benefits also provide a pathway for companies to provide independent contractors with workplace benefits without triggering a reclassification.

    Commentary: It’s the Side Hustle, Stupid

    August 5, 2024 // These side hustlers are in addition to the millions of Americans who already earn all of our income as independent contractors. Many of us believe that this way of making a buck, with multiple streams of income, empowers us to avoid the kind of all-or-nothing layoffs that come with traditional jobs. Make no mistake: Having the ability to pick up a side hustle or go freelance is like a safety net in the back of many Americans’ minds. If, for whatever reason, we want or need to earn extra cash, we know this option exists.

    Op-ed: KAREN ANDERSON: Joe Biden And Gavin Newsom Go To War With Freelancers For Their Big Labor Buddies

    January 15, 2024 // or those who file Schedule C on their federal tax returns, deducting expenses is crucial, especially if expensive equipment is required in a particular field such as independent filmmaking. Prior to AB5, film producer Dan Cheatham could write off his office costs, vehicle usage, fuel, software, hardware, equipment, healthcare, and self-advertising. “AB5 is poison for the self-employed in California unless we are willing to just volunteer our services and turn this into art for art’s sake,” he said. Finally, the opportunity to hone one’s craft is inherent in the freedom to freelance. Whether it’s a videographer working with different clients in different settings, a writer growing their skill sets to include photography and web design, or a wedding vendor expanding her offerings, the chance to try on different hats is one of many essential attributes of being self-employed.

    Commentary: What’s Next for America’s Independent Workers?

    December 15, 2022 // If various state and federal policymakers have their way, however, Ms. Rankin’s business model might be soon regulated out of existence — whether she likes it or not. Rankin, like every other owner‐​operator truck driver in America, is an independent worker – someone who takes on projects or jobs from different clients, relatively free from the clients’ control.

    Indeed Study Shows Women Took Gig Work, Preferring Flexibility Over Stability During The Pandemic

    March 23, 2022 // These opportunities enhance employment options for women. Due to the nature of gig roles, they offer flexibility in the amount of days and hours worked. As studies show, women have been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic—partly because they were overrepresented in the hardest-hit sectors, such as hospitality, leisure, travel, restaurants, retail and food services. It's also due to the fact that women were more apt to leave their jobs during the pandemic to take care of their children. This was particularly acute when public schools closed and childcare services were hard to find or too expensive, which made holding a full-time job not financially viable.