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Health Insurance Agents
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Lack of Health Care Keeps More Workers from Going Solo
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(ARA) - You?ve thought about leaving your job and working for yourself,
but the security of your company?s health coverage is holding you back.
You're not alone.
More than half of U.S. workers would consider exiting their
current jobs and flying solo as free agents if they were guaranteed the
same health benefits as found in traditional employment, according to a
recent study.
The U.S. Department of Labor defines free agents as
skill-driven people, typically employed as temporary/contract workers,
freelancers, independent professionals or consultants. Today, they
represent 22 percent of the U.S. workforce, or more than 30 million
people, according to the Kelly Services Workforce Study. Free agents
may represent the largest single cluster of workers in the American
economy.
The study finds that 51 percent of U.S. workers in traditional
employment relationships would consider free agency if they could
secure comparable health benefits.
?Many people now want to fit their work into their lifestyle,
rather than fitting their lifestyle into their work,? says Carl Camden,
president of staffing provider Kelly Services. ?In line with this
trend, more workers are becoming receptive to contract, temporary or
consulting employment situations, and the demand for them is there
since more than 90 percent of U.S. companies use some form of free
agent help.?
Impeding this style of work, Camden says, are U.S. labor laws
and health care access that remain structured around traditional
employment.
A significantly lower number of free agents -- 77 percent --
have health insurance, which they commonly access through a spouse or
other means, compared to the 85 percent of all workers who have
coverage, according to the Kelly study.
Insurance companies are reluctant to provide more traditional,
comprehensive benefit packages to individuals, versus those in group
plans, due to perceived higher financial risk. This largely makes
attaining health coverage cost-prohibitive for individual free agents.
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?Our country needs significant change in legislation and
regulation in the areas of healthcare, occupational safety and
retirement that acknowledges the free agent workforce,? says Camden.
?With respect to health care, we should move toward an employment-based
approach rather than our current employer-based system.?
Staffing companies remain excellent avenues into a growing
variety of employment situations. Here are some tips on finding one:
Experience and stability -- Look for a well-established firm
that serves a breadth of skill areas (including yours, of course).
Professional -- The staffing office should be clean and
organized, with knowledgeable and helpful staff. An office busy serving
job candidates and businesses is a good sign.
Quality assignments -- Inquire about the staffing company?s
roster of clients. Look for opportunities and venues where you can best
practice and develop your skills.
Flexibility -- This is what personal career management is all
about. Your staffing firm should be able to accommodate your
preferences around when, where and how you will work.
Training -- Ask whether the staffing company offers free
software training. Some have online learning centers for their
employees.
Recognition -- Does the staffing firm formally reward and
recognize its top performers?
Relationship -- Wherever your assignments may take you, look
for a staffing company that communicates and stays connected with you
and your goals.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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