Most of us grew up watching our parents, and even grandparents, work 20, 30, and even 40 years in the same company, faithful and dedicated employees of it from the time they left school until it was time for retirement. But the world has changed (yes, I know it is an overused phrase, but it is true), and especially in recent years, the boom of freelancers or independent workers has been on the rise.
Although we could talk about the social, economic, political, and even health reasons for this change for hours, what concerns us the most right now is whether you are capable of making the right decision when hiring a freelancer or a permanent employee, either full-time or part-time, for the vacancy you need to fill. From Evalart, we want to give you not only the best recruitment tools but also some key insights so you can make an informed decision, so we bring you the pros and cons of hiring either of them.
Freelancers
First and foremost, a freelancer is a worker who earns money for specific short-term work; they get paid for performing tasks with the freedom to complete these tasks simultaneously for several people or companies. Their rates are calculated in terms of the time and effort it takes them to complete these tasks. These rates are usually calculated per day, hour or project. These freelancers can work in various sectors, the most common being technology, art, communication, marketing, consulting, languages, and assistance, among many others.
Pros of hiring a freelancer
Quality. Freelancers specialize in tasks and get experience in them, which allows them to develop a high quality in their work.
Immediate access. Currently, there are many platforms where you can find these talents in various areas and even have a global reach, allowing you to find what you are looking for in a relatively short time.
Cost reduction. You pay only for what you need when you need it. Even with high hourly rates or per project in the medium and long term, the company saves money because it does not have to pay benefits to Freelancers or have office space for them, and all this, without sacrificing quality, as we talked about previously.
Cons of hiring a freelancer
Difficulty relating with clients. If you want to develop a clientele, this may not be the best option since being disconnected from the company, they may not be aware of things that an internal employee would be and could handle much better.
Low commitment to the company. The purpose of every freelancer is to deliver quality work to be taken into account for future hires; but, beyond that, the company’s success is not really their priority.
Employees
An employee is a person who is committed to the company at the labor level, either part-time or full-time. They have a fixed weekly schedule, assigned tasks, and an indefinite contract that can last for months or even years, in which they not only have duties towards the company but also legal rights such as bonuses, vacations, health, and economic benefits, among others.
Pros of hiring an employee
Security. You have the certainty of having a person available within the company’s working hours, the employee will be there safely, and you do not have to wait for them to be “available” to attend. They are the best option for fixed and recurring tasks of the business.
They are team players. They are part of the business and know their role in it. Therefore, they recognize the importance of the tasks performed because they have direct contact and can observe first-hand how their contributions affect the company. This allows them to grow over time, and his contributions could be increasingly valuable.
Commitment and stability. Employees seek stability and growth in their workplaces, which makes them more committed to the company’s progress and evolution. And, over time, they can become key players in the growth of your business because it also influences their personal and professional development.
Cons of hiring an employee
More time and effort for recruitment. As a person who will be added to the company, the selection process becomes more complicated and extensive, in addition to the time invested in training.
It consumes more resources and has a higher cost. The obligations of the employee and the company are fixed for the duration of the contract, regardless of the time of the year or the amount of work. This affects benefits, facilities, and benefits.
With this knowledge, we are confident that you can make the best decisions for you and your business; for its growth, quality, and profitability. The decision to hire a freelancer or an employee must first respond to your company’s needs if it is a constant task with sufficient volume or if it is specific and timely work at some point.
Remember that, from Evalart, we can help you to make the selection process more efficient. You can count on us at every stage of the process.