How the Extended Workforce Is Redefining Critical Roles in 2026

As organizations plan their 2026 workforce strategy, they’re facing a workforce equation that looks very different from just a few years ago. Critical work is increasingly being delivered by people who aren’t on the traditional payroll: contractors, freelancers, and independent specialists.

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This shift is being driven from both sides of the labor market. Employers are under pressure to do more with less, while AI reshapes roles, automates some tasks...