Earnings of 26,000 PLN on B2B versus the stability of a full-time contract is a dilemma redefining the modern IT job market and forcing senior professionals to seek new forms of collaboration. The modern Talent Network model is becoming a viable alternative to traditional employment, offering developers access to prestigious international projects without restrictive corporate frameworks. While standard IT benefits are now the norm, it is full control over one’s career and flexibility that give talent networks an edge over the classic work model. See how joining a global community of experts can change your approach to professional development and finances.What do IT employees currently expect?
According to a report by
Bulldog Jobs, despite changes in the IT industry, the expectations of employees and candidates remain high, especially compared to other sectors. This is reflected in salary ranges: in 2023, senior professionals on employment contracts earned an average of over 12,000 PLN net, while those on B2B contracts could count on an average of over 26,000 PLN gross. Companies also entice candidates with rich benefit packages—including financial bonuses and private medical care—which have become a baseline requirement for IT workers over time. It is also clear that IT employees expect a high degree of flexibility in terms of time and work methods, especially compared to other industries. One could even say that the ability to work remotely and during hours that suit the employee has been the norm in the IT sector for many years. Professionals in this field place great importance on factors such as company culture, team trust, and the work atmosphere. In addition to these elements, employees and candidates pay close attention to professional development opportunities and prefer companies that offer extensive training packages. Another frequently mentioned expectation is job stability—although the percentage of people working in IT on B2B contracts is high, a significant portion still chooses an employment contract, even despite lower earnings.
What can the traditional labor market offer?
Before answering the question in the headline, we must define what the traditional labor market is. This term refers to the way work is organized under the provisions of the Labor Code. The traditional labor market can also be defined in opposition to the gig economy model, where work is less stable and based on civil law or B2B contracts. Only now can we answer what the traditional labor market offers. First and foremost, it provides a greater sense of job stability. While this is strongest in the case of an open-ended employment contract, even a fixed-term contract gives employees access to benefits often unavailable to those on service or specific-task contracts—namely health and pension insurance and paid leave. Furthermore, employees have access to many benefits, ranging from sports cards to meal vouchers or wellness programs. In traditional forms of employment, there is also a greater emphasis on professional development—a well-functioning organization treats training as an investment in the employee, and a structured work environment with clear roles and responsibilities fosters collaboration and task accountability, which translates into employee satisfaction and loyalty. It is worth noting, however, that the traditional model has adopted certain solutions known from freelancing or the gig economy—mainly flexible working hours or the option for remote or hybrid work, alternating between home and the office.
Due to changes in the labor market, especially in the IT sector where
automation and outsourcing are more common than in other industries, companies in this field are changing their recruitment strategies. One of the
methods used to increase capacity is the Talent Network. It most often takes the form of a social portal organized by a specific company, where various specialists can sign up to take on assignments or be hired for specific projects. Can a Talent Network replace traditional forms of employment? The answer is complex—on one hand, such networks provide immediate access to the skills of experts in various fields, but on the other, it is often short-term collaboration that ends upon the completion of a specific project. For this reason, members of a Talent Network may assume that the company will not want to hire them permanently and will end the collaboration after the work is done. It is also worth noting that people hired through a Talent Network may not feel a bond with the organization, and the cost of maintaining such a platform can be higher than traditional recruitment. Therefore, it is safe to say that a Talent Network can complement traditional forms of employment when a company needs to quickly increase capacity, but it will not fully replace an in-house team.
What other advantages does a Talent Network offer the employee?
Despite its limitations, the advantages for a candidate in a Talent Network may outweigh the disadvantages. The most visible benefit of being hired through a Talent Network is access to a variety of job offers that do not necessarily require a long-term commitment. In this way, candidates can not only earn money but also develop their skills and gain experience that may lead to stable employment in the future. Employment through a Talent Network may also appeal to many people due to its flexibility—this type of work does not involve the need to be in the office constantly, and activities are often limited by the project duration, making it ideal for people looking for the opportunity to work during hours and periods that suit them. Importantly, employment through a Talent Network often offers the ability to choose projects, so candidates can select tasks that best match their skills and interests. Another advantage for a Talent Network candidate is the opportunity to expand their network—thanks to such platforms, employees can collaborate with companies around the world, which opens up new labor markets and development opportunities. They can also build relationships with specialists in their industry, which can be beneficial for their careers.
