Gig jobs, or more commonly known as freelance and contract work, are becoming a mainstay in the business world, according to a panel discussion at the monthly Wisconsin Innovation Network luncheon held Tuesday at the Sheraton hotel.

The presentation, featuring Uber Wisconsin GM Carrol Chang, Bunker Insurance Head of Brand Strategy and Communications Kevin Kiser and HKP Senior HR Consultant Traci Scherck, discussed how gig jobs are affecting the workforce, both positively and negatively.

“I think my biggest challenge in working with independent contractors is the balancing act,” Chang said. “We can’t force drivers to work, so we need to create something that is compelling and attractive enough that they receive joy and fulfillment.”

These gigs create more job opportunities but also more work for the companies themselves.

“When we’re classifying employees, there is no gig bucket,” Scherck said. “So, therefore, it’s creating more work for human resources.”

As technology and the definition of an employee keep evolving, businesses will need to keep up, panel members said.

“Independent contractors are vast and in every industry,” Kiser said. “Especially in the B2B world, enterprises just want to get their work done.”