Many of you have already called or written to your members of Congress about the proposed legislation in the House and Senate. We have been actively meeting with Members to discuss the important work that freelancers and independent contractors are doing in this country. This work is critical, especially in light of the tough economic times we are all facing. The legislation introduced by Rep. McDermott in the House and Sen. Kerry in the Senate would have the effect of taking away the opportunities for contract work in the U.S. It is more important than ever that Congress hear from you: The people who will be most effected by this legislation. Let them know that you value working as a contractor and that any legislation pass must include clarification to the IRS 20 factor test so that businesses can use your services without facing the fear that you will be misclassified as employees. If that risk becomes too great, which is the effect of the Kerry bill as currently written, businesses will be forced to move those jobs overseas. Your message to Congress is clear: Use the proposed legislation to provide clarification to businesses like LiveOps who access a workforce of independent contractors. Give the Freelance Economy the certainty it needs to continue to provide jobs in the United States. Protect my right to work as a contractor.

We're encroaching on the end of 2009, and The New Way To Work is on the scene in full force. Well, I'm certain that most of you here at TheNewEconomyWorkforce already know all about it. While the movement to recognize the voice and enable the success of the tens of thousands independent contractors and skilled freelancers continues to charge forward, we'd like to take a second to stop, reflect, and celebrate on how far the world of online work has come and to anticipate what the future may hold. Elance, one of the frontrunners of this movement for online contractors and professionals, put together "The New Way To Work" contest to unite and show the world the skills, professionalism, and talent of workers in this new era of work. The contest, which holds a $10,000 Grand Prize or a year’s worth of health insurance premiums, challenges you to show what The New Way To Work means to you in any format you choose. You could shoot a video and upload it to YouTube, write a blog entry and post it to Blogger, snap a photo and host it on Flickr, create a song and post it on MySpace - the sky is the limit. So, has the N.E.W. Way To Work influenced your life? Show us. To find out more information and contest rules, head over to the Elance Blog for more information. http://www.elance.com/p/blog/2009/09/the_new_way_to_work.html

We've had a very successful summer, traveling across the country and sharing our stories with Legislators. Legislation was finally introduced by Rep. McDermott that would make it more difficult for companies to engage independent contractors. We expected him to introduce the bill and he has indicated a willingness to hear different views on how best to deal with the abuses that have taken place in the world of independent contracting. The New Economy Workforce opposes the legislation, and instead would like clarity around the internet based freelance service provider model.

We had several district meetings in Atlanta, Marietta and Tampa in August that were very productive. In Atlanta, several LiveOps agents and I met with Congressman John Lewis, a longstanding member of Congress and Civil Rights leader. Walking through his office was like going back to one of the darkest and most inspiring times in our Country's history. Remembering the struggles that were faced back then, I was humbled by even getting a seat at the table with someone like Representative Lewis.

Mr. Lewis heard the agents' stories and understood their concerns for the future of their home business. He pledged his support in helping us find clarity for the freelance business model. It was an incredible meeting for everyone involved.

After having several of these local visits and meeting with staff and members in DC, we have seen that our message is resonating. Now that the Obama Administration has begun to embrace Cloud Computing, talking about the freelance economy and Cloud Sourcing is beginning to make more sense on the hill.

I think that even Washington is starting to see that the world of work is changing. We need to continue to educate them about what we need to thrive as an industry and as individual entrepreneurs. I invite you to share your story with your Member of Congress in the Act Now section of the site. They need to hear our voices.

Earlier this week, we attended a meeting with Congressman David Scott in his Jonesboro, GA district office. This was our first district level visit, and our first local grassroots effort, and it went incredibly well. The group met in a park behind city hall in Jonesboro, where we had donuts and coffee and got to know one another. The group had a lot of questions about the legislation and how it might impact them. All were passionate about LiveOps and working independently and the opportunity that it has given them to live their lives on their own terms. Hearing the stories of these folks is always inspiring. These people are the true heart and soul of what this effort is about; many of them juggling families, 2 and 3 jobs, the military and school.

We all followed one another to the Congressman’s office for the meeting. In total, we had 9 independent agents at the meeting who each told their story to the Congressman. Their passion and spirit of entrepreneurship clearly moved Congressman Scott. The meeting lasted over an hour as he listened to each person’s story and asked questions about LiveOps and the legislation that might be introduced. The Congressman was very warm and understanding of our issue. All of the participants were very well spoken and seemed to really enjoy being there. The Congressman took photos with the group, and then handed out signed pictures to each of us.

I think everyone left feeling inspired and empowered. Being a part of an effort like this, to protect your your home business and the ability for others to continue to work on their own terms is very powerful. My hope is that everyone who came down left feeling like they had accomplished something and that having your voice heard is not only important, but it is easy as well. Based on the success of this meeting, I am going to begin scheduling more district level visits across the country over the next few months. The progress made was immeasurable, and we will continue to tap into the passion and enthusiasm of the independent worker community to help protect the right to work on our own terms.

 

I just returned from a very productive trip to Washington, DC! I met with a number of different legislative offices and told the story of LiveOps’ technology and the opportunities that it is creating for workers across the country. I am always inspired by talking about LiveOps and the incredible community of workers that it has helped to create. Everyone who hears our story is impressed with what we are trying to do as a company, and they want to learn more. Washington is often behind the times when it comes to technology, so I spent several meetings discussing the concept of Cloud Computing and Cloud Sourcing and educating staffers about the possibilities of tapping into a national workforce through technology.

What I heard most from legislative offices was that they wanted to hear from the independent workers themselves. In the debate over independent contracting and being able to work your own terms, your independent voices are more important than ever! Legislators need to hear from you and hear how the freedom to work when, where and how you choose has impacted your life.

I don't think that Washington truly understands how their legislation could impact real workers, real lives. This is not a debate that should take place solely among government policy makers. They need to understand what this could do to communities and families, and how their decisions could limit the ability for hard working individuals to put food on the table and to live their lives as they choose.

Washington needs to hear from all of you. They need to hear why it is important for you to work on your own terms. Why being there for an aging parent or seeing a loved one through cancer is vital, and how working independently has allowed you to do that and still earn an income. Why choosing to work around your kids’ soccer schedule or dance classes is a choice that you have made. They need to hear that this is a choice.

I am excited by the opportunity we have to help shape the debate in Washington around an independent workforce. In the coming months, we will be asking you to place calls and send emails to your legislators to share your story. I hope that you take advantage of the opportunity to have your voice heard. Find people in your local communities who share your views and start your own education and lobbying efforts! Let us know what you’re doing and how we can help. Look for more information coming soon about local events where you can share your story directly with your Member of Congress!

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the N.E.W. Blog. This site was built for independent, individual business owners to help monitor legislation that could harm a person’s ability to provide services as an independent contractor.

We believe that the world of work is changing, and that in the future, lawmakers will embrace different types of workers and will legislate in a fair and equal manner. The world is changing, and the new economy will be flexible and encourage people to work on their own terms. Technology has enabled a skilled workforce to emerge.

The new economy is about opportunity, flexibility, freedom and independence. It is about providing a level playing field for those who have been left out of the traditional workforce.

The new economy provides access to opportunities for people who need flexibility. Workers like working mothers, veterans, people with disabilities, caregivers, retirees, and other professionals who have conflicting obligations.

The new economy provides access to opportunities regardless of where people decide to live. Workers are no longer restricted to working in bricks-and-mortar buildings within their local communities. Workers can now find many different types of opportunities over the Internet, and offer their services to many different clients, regardless of where they choose to live. The new economy provides access to green jobs. Many workers choose to reduce their footprint on the earth by opting-out of a daily commute and reducing individual toll on the planet.

This website is a forum for workers to get informed, become empowered, and have a say in how Washington views the future of work. This is about the freedom to work on our own terms. It is important that every voice is heard.

Don’t be left out of the debate. Let our independent voice be heard.

Join Us Now.