Crowdworking: the definition
Crowdworking, also known as crowdsourcing, platform work or clickworking, refers in the HR field to recruiting temporary workers via digital platforms for specific tasks or projects. These platforms act as intermediaries between companies that need additional resources and freelancers offering their services.
The process is simple yet effective: companies join the relevant crowdworking platforms and outline their requirements and project goals. It is common to break down larger processes and projects into small individual tasks, known as micro-jobs. These tasks are then selected and executed by crowdworkers. Depending on the platform or the type of tender selected, crowdworkers either participate in the tender as part of a competition, apply to the hiring company, or execute the task directly. This process allows companies to respond flexibly to changing workloads and to tap into specific expertise or manpower without committing long-term.
The difference between freelancing and crowdworking
At first glance, the differences between freelancers and crowdworkers are not significant: all work independently, without a traditional employment contract, and are paid on a project basis. What sets these two forms of work apart, however, is the lack of direct contact with the individual performing the work in crowdworking, as the selected platform acts as an intermediary. Freelancers negotiate directly with the client, sometimes even working on-site in the office and in teams with permanent staff. And while freelancers are usually highly qualified, crowdworkers mostly carry out simpler tasks that do not require specific expertise.
Common crowdworking platforms
There are various platforms through which crowdworking personnel can be found for different tasks and micro-jobs. Depending on the need, attention must be paid to the focus of the platforms:
- Upwork: Platform for specialists capable of handling complex tasks
- Freelancer.com: Specifically for programming and design
- Fiverr: Thousands of freelancers worldwide offering services from graphic design and programming to translation
- Freelancer Switzerland: Marketplace for Swiss freelancers in 30 specialist fields
- Amazon Mechanical Turk: For smaller tasks that do not require expertise
- Clickworker: One of the largest platforms, offering a broad range of crowdworkers and tasks
Crowdworking: advantages and disadvantages for companies
Crowdsourcing offers significant advantages but also some challenges that must be addressed.
Advantages:
- Flexibility in resource use: Companies can respond quickly to fluctuating workloads and deploy temporary workers as needed.
- Access to a wide talent pool: Crowdworking platforms allow companies to access personnel with diverse skills and backgrounds.
- Cost savings: As crowdworkers work digitally, there are no costs for providing work equipment or office space.
Disadvantages:
- Quality control: It can be difficult to verify the quality of tasks, especially in complex or sensitive subject areas.
- Dependence on platforms: Companies depend on the availability and reliability of crowdworking platforms, which can create uncertainties.
- Possible legal risks: Legal issues may arise regarding employment relationships and data protection, especially if crowdworkers do not live in Switzerland.
Crowdworking is therefore particularly worthwhile for short-term, project-based tasks to save costs, gain flexibility in resource planning, and when specific expertise or simple labour is needed that is not currently available in the internal team.
Naturally, the freelancer's perspective must also be considered: Crowdworking offers freelancers the advantages of high flexibility, the opportunity to take on projects worldwide, and the chance to apply and continuously expand their skills in various fields. Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that it can also lead to significant uncertainties such as irregular income, lack of social security, and intense price pressure. In addition, the lack of legal protection mechanisms and dependence on platforms make it difficult to build a sustainable professional perspective. It is therefore important to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages and to aim for fair collaboration on both sides.
Ready to simplify your recruiting? Test Refline now for free – intuitive, efficient, and precisely tailored to your needs.