Navigating the Freelance Workforce with Tony Buffum

Good Morning, HR

In episode 155, Coffey talks with Tony Buffum about the evolving freelance workforce and its impact on the labor market.

They discuss the growth of the freelance workforce; differences between gig jobs and freelance work; the increasing preference for freelance work among younger generations; the use of platforms like Upwork for accessing diverse talent; the benefits of hiring fractional executives through freelance platforms; and the role of freelancing for retirees and experienced professionals.

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If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Tony Buffum is VP of HR Client Strategy at Upwork. As a key member of the senior-level executive client strategy team, Buffum is responsible for accelerating growth of current and prospective Upwork enterprise clients, helping them solve HR challenges related to finance, procurement and talent transformation. Buffum is an accomplished HR professional with more than two decades of experience leading global HR teams as well as driving transformational change in company culture, organizational design, performance management, and employee integration and engagement.

He joins Upwork following a series of noteworthy leadership positions including chief human resources officer (CHRO) at FLIR Systems, VP of global human resources at STANLEY Security, VP of human resources at Stanley Black & Decker and others. Alongside his role at Upwork, he serves as Chairperson of PEI Human Capital Forum and is the HR Venture Advisor at SemperVirens, an early-stage venture capital fund investing in technology transforming healthcare work and financial wellness.

Buffum graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Industrial & Labor Relations.

Tony Buffum can be reached at

https://www.upwork.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-buffum-hrexecutive

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Adapt to the growing freelance workforce by understanding the differences between traditional employees, freelancers, and gig workers, and the specific benefits each type brings to the organization.

2.Facilitate effective integration and collaboration by addressing cultural and operational challenges, such as remote work, security protocols, and communication practices.

3. Leverage freelance platforms to access diverse talent and meet both short-term project needs and long-term strategic goals, while considering the potential for converting freelancers to full-time roles if appropriate​.