The Independent Worker
There's an article worth reading at DV Format about how "independent workers"--contract workers empowered by technology and expertise--are changing the employer / employee relationship. A quote:
The global communication technology is radically changing the speed, direction and amount of information flow even as it alters work roles across all organizations. The new free agent worker is creating role clarity for himself and herself. They figure out the top priorities and point themselves in that direction. They don't pull back. They don't wait for someone to give them details or marching orders. They give themselves permission to attach to the job. They feel their way along to the future. They are willing to "wing it." They have reduced improvising to an art form. They accept the fact that work life is fuzzy around the edges. They are confident that organizations aren't going to look out for people's careers as they did in the past. Because of this, it's increasingly important to behave like you're in business for yourself -- you are. Today's "employees" have to build emotional muscle. As Lily Tomlin once said, "We're all in this alone."