Midlancing, wasda?
Working as a midlancer, what does that really mean? In the freelance world, this buzzword is popping up more and more. Where does this term come from, and is it similar to freelancing? We went ahead and did some research.
Find out everything you need to know about midlancing below!
What is a midlancer?
The term "midlancer" has been around since 1995, and was created by the founders of The Human Network. At THN, they devised a model that combined the benefits of working as an employee with that of freelancing.
Midlancing is often compared to the system of flexi-jobs. As a midlancer, you work independently, but you are associated with a midlance agency. Because of this, you are not self-employed but fall under the status of an employee. The advantage of midlancing is that you get many different assignments to work on. This makes your job very varied.
For companies working with midlancers, there is virtually no difference.
Difference between a midlancer and freelancer?
Midlancing and freelancing are very similar, yet there are some differences. We list them briefly:
1) You are employed by a company
Those who freelance have independent status. Midlancers, however, are employed by a company. This means that as a midlancer, you get a fixed salary. This is not the case with freelancers, who are financially dependent on the assignments they receive.
2) More security as a midlancer
A major advantage of working as a midlancer is that you can still enjoy all the social and commercial protections of a salaried employee.
If you fall out as a midlancer due to illness, or you don't have the ability to go to work for a while, you will be paid your wages like any wage earner.
Freelancers don't have that luxury. They are paid only for hours performed. If you can't work, then you don't earn anything either.
Therefore, as a freelancer, it is very important to save up a reserve. Most freelancers also have a Insurance Guaranteed Income. This insurance ensures that if you become disabled as a self-employed person, you will still have an income.
3) No paperwork
Midlancers are associated with a midlance agency. This has its advantages, as the agency serves as an intermediary between the client and the midlancer.
The agency takes care of salaries, contracts... So, as a midlancer, you only have to deal with your work, and not with all kinds of paperwork.
A great additional advantage is that midlance agencies can help you find assignments. Such agencies often have a large network, which means that as a midlancer you are rarely without work.
4) Less wage freedom
As a freelancer, you have the freedom to set your own salary. If you get an assignment that requires more time and preparation, you can choose to increase your hourly rate.
You don't have this freedom as a midlancer; you work at a monthly wage. Midlancers can, of course, negotiate their pay with the midlance agency that hires them, but the decision still depends on the employer.
Currently, midlancing is on the rise especially in the Netherlands. Several midlance agencies are already present in our northern neighbors. This is not yet the case in Belgium.
Midlancing: for whom?
Are you someone who is hesitant to start working independently as a freelancer? Then midlancing might be for you. Midlancing gives you a chance to get a taste of the entrepreneurship of freelancing. It can be a stepping stone to a new career for many would-be freelancers.
Already convinced and sure you want to work as a freelancer?
Then we don't recommend midlancing. For the same assignments, you will earn more as a freelancer than if you work as a midlancer. As a freelancer, you are also much more independent; after all, you are your own boss.
Would you also like to become a freelancer, but not sure how to get started?
Sources:
Nextconomy. (2021, January 6). Diagram difference between freelancers and midlancers [Illustration]. Midlancers, Flexible, Yet Protected Workforce. https://www.nextconomy.be/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Schermafbeelding-2021-01-06-090930-1.jpg
ESF. (s.d.). Midlancer. Accessed January 25, 2022, from https://www.esf-vlaanderen.be/nl/projectenkaart/midlancer
Micholt, E. (2020, Oct. 6). Freelancing without independent status? You can! Securex. Accessed January 26, 2022, from https://www.securex.be/nl/blog/ondernemers/midlance
Midlancer. (s.d.). Midlancing at one of The Human Network's companies. https://www.midlancer.nl/wat-is-midlancen
Miedema, A. (2020, May 2). Why should I choose midlance instead of freelance? Qoppoconsult. Retrieved January 26, 2022, from https://www.qoppoconsult.nl/nieuws/waarom-zou-ik-kiezen-voor-midlance-ipv-freelance
Next level freelancer. (s.d.). Freelancing vs. midlancing. Accessed January 26, 2022, from https://nextlevelfreelancer.com/freelancen-vs-midlancen/
Securex (Jan. 2021, 6). Midlancers, Flexible yet protected workforce. Nextconomy. Accessed January 25, 2022, from https://www.nextconomy.be/2021/01/midlancers-flexibele-doch-beschermde-werkkrachten/
The human network. (Dec. 2021, 30). Why midlancing is freelancing's clever sister. Accessed January 26, 2022, from https://www.thehumannetwork.nl/nieuws/waarom-midlancen-de-knappe-zus-van-freelancen
