2026 Annual Study · Enterprise Benchmark
Unlocking the Potential of the Independent Flexible Workforce
How enterprises actually engage independent talent — what works, what breaks, and what the best programs do differently.
A joint study
Why this study exists
The modern workforce is undergoing a structural shift, with independent professionals and freelancers becoming a critical source of specialized talent, agility, and innovation. Yet most organizations have not fully unlocked this potential. Fragmented engagement models, compliance concerns, and unclear ownership across HR, procurement, and business units continue to limit effective adoption.
This survey captures a comprehensive view of how organizations currently use independent talent, the solutions and providers they rely on, and the barriers preventing scale. By capturing real-world practice, the research identifies actionable strategies, emerging operating models, and best-in-class approaches for integrating independent talent into workforce strategy.
The goal is a data-driven foundation for unlocking the full value of the independent workforce — improving access to expertise, reducing friction, and driving better business outcomes.
What it covers
7 sections · 48 questions · answer in one sitting or come back to it
- 01Organization Profile4
- 02Independent & Freelance Workforce Adoption7
- 03Governance, Policy & Visibility7
- 04Worker Classification, Compliance & Due Diligence14
- 05Technology & Marketplace Adoption7
- 06Business Outcomes & Future Investment6
- 07Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Work3
What you get back
See where you actually stand
Benchmark your program against peers on classification coverage, audit readiness, and how much spend runs outside approved process.
Name the friction
The study quantifies what limits adoption — fragmented ownership, compliance risk, and visibility gaps — instead of leaving it anecdotal.
Bring evidence, not opinion
Real numbers from comparable organizations, for the conversation with Legal, Finance, and your executive team.
Respondents receive a copy of the report before it is published globally.
For the people who run contingent workforce programs
- Contingent Workforce Program leaders
- Human Resources
- Procurement leaders
- Talent Acquisition
- Workforce Strategy
- Finance & Legal
Run a platform, marketplace, AOR, EOR or MSP?
The other half of the study surveys the solutions ecosystem serving this market.
Add your data to the record.
48 questions, 10–12 minutes, anonymous. Respondents receive a copy of the report before it is published globally.
Take the survey