
Liya Palagashvili, Senior Research Fellow at Mercatus Center
Subscribe to Human Cloud Podcast
Leaders,
What does the future of independent work look like, and how are policies shaping its trajectory? In this episode, we sit down with Liya Palagashvili to unpack the economic trends, policy changes, and workforce dynamics that are shaping the shift toward flexible employment.
Liya shares her journey from academia to workforce research, revealing how small businesses and independent professionals have driven the growth of freelancing long before the rise of the gig economy. She also highlights the critical role that data and research play in shaping legislation, dispelling misconceptions about misclassification, and ensuring policies support, rather than restrict, independent workers.
We explore:
- The real numbers behind independent work, including why 80% of freelancers prefer their work arrangements and how older workers and women are fueling its expansion.
- How laws like California’s AB5 unintentionally hurt freelancers, reducing self-employment and even W-2 jobs in affected states.
- Why control is at the heart of the policy debate, and how new legislation could create portable benefits and provide clearer guidelines for independent contractor classification.
- The employer perspective: why businesses hesitate to engage freelancers due to regulatory uncertainty and how policies could encourage innovation rather than stifle it.
- What’s next for independent work, from policy shifts in Washington to the evolving mindset of businesses navigating the modern workforce.
As freelancing and flexible work continue to grow, policymakers, business leaders, and independent professionals must align on solutions that preserve flexibility while ensuring stability.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Conversation
02:01 Understanding the Policy Environment
12:01 The Role of Data in Policy Making
15:01 Personal Journeys into Freelancing
27:13 Current State of Independent Contractor Policy
35:54 Demographics and Trends in Independent Work
37:32 The Rise of Flexible Work for Older Workers
41:28 Women in Independent Work: Trends and Insights
44:43 The Shift from Traditional Employment to Freelancing
48:16 Understanding Independent Contractor Policies
55:17 The Impact of ABC Test Laws on Employment
01:05:26 Future Legislation and the Path Forward for Freelancers
Follow Up Material & Links
Powered By Human Cloud, the global authority on the freelance economy.
Human Cloud helps freelance leaders solve their toughest challenges. From Enterprises scaling freelance workforces, to Platforms positioning their unique differentiation, Human Cloud is fortunate to have a global hand in helping the freelance economy grow.
Interested in partnering with Human Cloud?
> Visit us at https://humancloud.work
> Contact us at [email protected]
> Leverage the largest database of freelance insights at https://humancloud.work/industry-insights