Free agent (business)
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In business, a free agent refers to someone who works independently for oneself, rather than for a single employer.[1] The term is inspired by professional athletes in certain U.S. leagues like the NFL or NBA who, after a certain number of years under contract with the team who first drafts them, are free to negotiate for a position with any team in the league. In business, "free agents" include self-employed workers, independent contractors and temporary workers, who altogether represent about 22 percent of the U.S. labor force. The combination of several workplace trends – including shortened job cycles, the increase of project work, the acceptance of a new lifestyle and the emergence of the Internet and other technology – points to free agent workers becoming more of an employment norm in the coming years. In a 2002 survey sponsored by Kelly Services, a global staffing company, 93 percent of free agents believe demand for their skills is moderate or high.[2]
