John Vensel is a contract attorney at the Orrick law firm in Wheeling, W.Va. He says contract work is today's economic reality. Yuki Noguchi/NPR hide caption
The Rise Of The Contract Workers A new NPR/Marist poll finds that 1 in 5 jobs in America is made up of workers under contract. Within a decade, contractors and freelancers could make up half of the workforce. NPR explores many aspects of this shift.
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The Rise Of The Contract Workers
Tom Hansen's irregular pay leaves him and his wife, Gina Barr, juggling their finances to pay the bills. Jim Zarroli/NPR hide caption
For One Family, Contract Work Means 'Feast Or Famine' As Income Varies
"Being a freelancer, you really have to be on top of your emotional and mental health," says Carolina Salas, a New York City freelance marketing expert. Justin T. Shockley hide caption
Will Work For No Benefits: The Challenges Of Being In The New Contract Workforce
According to a recent NPR/Marist poll, 30 percent of Americans do something else for pay in addition to their full-time jobs. Ilana Kohn/Ikon Images/Getty Images hide caption
Alex Belfiori, 28, is a contract worker at Dick's Sporting Goods near Pittsburgh. An NPR/Marist poll shows 65 percent of contract workers are men and 62 percent of such workers are under 45. Lynn Johnson for NPR hide caption
Nina Irizarry says she was sexually harassed in various jobs as a contractor but didn't have a human resources person to turn to or an employer to sue. Justin T. Shockley/Courtesy of Nina Irizarry hide caption
Houchang Golzari drives a Town Car for a service in New York City. He says the Black Car Fund compensated him for some of his lost wages after he was involved in an accident. Yuki Noguchi/NPR hide caption
Chris Beatty, 26, works at a Radial warehouse in Burlington, N.J. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption