Wishing you had a bit more cash on hand? Who doesn’t? Whether it’s a Covid-style layoff, an extra-tight month, you’re in between jobs, or you just want some extra money to spend for the upcoming holidays, it’s sometimes tough to find a short term solution. Welcome to the gig-friendly life, welcome to Bacon.
Twenty years ago, what we know now as a gig-economy didn’t exist. Gone are the days when businesses could maybe get a high school student to work a shift for someone who was out. There were a lot of 9-to-5 jobs, with not much flexibility, and when someone was out of a job, there weren’t a lot of options for the “in between” phase. Today, technology has made it possible for someone who needs cash quickly to work shifts in many different industries without having to commit to a long-term job or temp-agency restrictions.
Using an easy-to-navigate app, Bacon shows the user available shifts in their area, the user picks a shift, shows up to work, and gets paid. Does it seem too easy? It does. But is it working? Absolutely. Bacon skips the oftentimes expensive, complicated, and antiquated temp-agency and goes straight to business. Bacon’s clients find workers who are reliable, and workers find gigs that are diverse. With the millennial shift in where we want to spend our time, someone can maintain the flexible lifestyle they want while still making money when they need it.
“There are a lot of different kinds of people that use Bacon. Some people are using it to “buy time” while they look for a new job,” says Bacon CEO Hunter Sebresos. “They've been laid off because of Covid or maybe quit because they’re unhappy in their job, and finding a full time position right now is a challenge. You’ve also got college students looking for a job that fits around their schedule. You’ve got stay-at-home parents who are looking to earn a little extra money for a vacation or something like that without putting strain on the family budget. Bacon is the perfect solution, and we’re seeing a lot of success with both the users and the clients looking for workers.”
Especially now, when Covid-19 has put our workforce in turmoil, the gig-economy is vital. More than 86,000 Utahns were unemployed in June, and many have been furloughed or are on a reduced salary. Bacon provides a solution for those who have been displaced from their jobs and might be looking for something new. The team at Bacon knows that with gig jobs, opportunities can arise, and they encourage their workers to “level-up” and take those moments presented to them. Where normally temp agencies discourage seeking full time employment while doing temp work, Bacon wants to see workers rise to the occasion.
“We have deliberately chosen not to charge a transfer fee or conversion fee when a company decides to hire someone full time,” says Hunter. “We shouldn’t stand in the way of an individual finding a great opportunity. We’re banking on that, and we think helping others will also help us in the long run. There are a lot of gig-economy companies that don’t do that, and it’s the biggest complaint we get from clients looking for workers and potential long-term employees.”
Shifts in transportation, warehouse, events, catering, and general labor are many, and spots are opening every day for anyone who wants the job. From retirees to students, travelers to stay-at-home moms, Bacon works for all of them.
“Here’s an example of a person using Bacon. We have a long time user named Dorian who has an MBA and more than 20 years of experience in IT. He’s worked over 150 shifts on our platform with more than 125 reviews, all of which are five stars,” says Hunter. “[Dorian] uses Bacon because he feels like he has control over when and where he works. We have really high calibre workers, and they love the autonomy they have with Bacon.”
Bacon’s core values are “hustle and shine” and they encourage their workers to take the same approach. If you see something that needs to be done- do it. Take out the trash, wipe the counter, help a coworker. Bringing home the bacon has new meaning, and the gig-economy is growing strong in Utah.
To learn more about Bacon and how you can take a shift or two, visit www.bacon.work
