Covid-19 will have a permanent impact on how companies think about different ways of working, including remote work and accessing talent, according to specialist tax consultancy Fenero.
Fenero said that while the impact of Covid-19 has put a dent in the number of jobs being created - including permanent and contract roles - it anticipates there will be a surge in the number of contractor positions created or available after the pandemic.
The specialist tax consultancy also anticipates a surge in demand for such positions.
Ireland was at almost full employment last year with the demand for more talent to meet skills shortages at an all-time high.
This is in stark contrast to the unemployment rate for April and May 2020, as measured by the Central Statistics' Covid-19 adjusted measure, which jumped to a new record high of 28.2% for April, with a slight drop to 26.1% in May.
Fenero said that restrictions have started to ease in the Government's roadmap to reopening, it will be a long time before things are back to normal.
"It is likely the workplace, together with the structure of workforces, will never be the same again", Fenero stated.
"With many businesses looking at ways to get back on their feet quickly, effectively and efficiently, Fenero anticipates that there will be a new wave of demand for skilled and experienced contractors that can bring new levels of expertise and innovation to a business for a specific period or project need," the company added.
On contracting, Fenero founder Sinead Doherty said the first and perhaps most obvious benefit to both parties is that there is less of a commitment from either side.
But on top of that, the plus points for employers are considerable, she said.
"In challenging times, speed is critical. Contractors are usually project and delivery focused; they are there to deliver on goals and get the job done before they move on again," Sinead Doherty said.
"Contractors also tend to think differently - they are specialised and have a specific skillset that they bring with them from company to company, constantly acquiring new experiences and insights as they move across companies. They bring fresh thinking to the business," she added.
Fenero said a key factor in the future of work is the effect of Covid-19 on business operations and demand, as well as budgets.
"In the aftermath of the pandemic, many businesses may have short-term demands and requirements that are critical to the new direction their business might be taking, or to simply getting their business back on its feet," Ms Doherty said.
"If a business has been forced to pivot during the crisis, it may not have all of the requisite skills to scale up and drive momentum for the new products or services it is providing. The practical solution could be selecting highly skilled, specialist contractors for six months or a year or two-year contract," she added.
