Аннотация:The main question which the author of the report would like to answer is this: "Is a freelancer a man of the future of work?». There are methodological difficulties in the study of freelancing. First, in determining the concept of "freelance". Second, when selecting principles and methods for quantifying the participating workers in a given form of employment. We will be able to overcome these difficulties only partially, using a comparative approach, historical method, analysis of statistical data and a systematic approach. There are different interpretations of freelancing that you can synthesize if you understand that the essence of freelancing lies in the relationship of employee and employer. It is the relationships that develop in the process of performing specific work, order.
Nowadays freelance is most widespread in the following areas: Advisory activities in various fields; marketing; engineering design work; preparation of texts - copywriting (text of any kind, including articles in newspapers, magazines, other publications, training and dissertation work); programming and development of websites; administration; design and graphics services; photography and video recording; translation; tutoring.
In the emerging digital economy the scope of activities of the free "lancers" will continue to expand. Freelancing will become more international, in terms of the sources and recipients of services. It will affect areas where it had not previously been used, such as defense and space. It will increase the proportion of freelance services provided by engineers, accountants, economists.
In the state of a deepening global economic crisis we will see an increase in the role of freelancing as a solution to social problems and a mode of mitigating the crisis’ effects, as well as of optimizing the relationship of the employee and the employer.