What's Happening?
Under Armour, a prominent American sportswear company, has partnered with Enterprise Solutions from Michael Page to improve the visibility and management of its corporate contingent workforce. Initially rolled out successfully in the U.S., the program
has now expanded to include 49 departments across seven additional markets. The initiative addresses previous challenges where Under Armour's existing Managed Service Provider (MSP) struggled to support the company's evolving workforce needs, leading to limited visibility, control, and standardization of its contingent workforce. The new MSP deployment involved a dedicated team to manage the corporate contingent workforce, with regular in-person meetings ensuring stakeholder alignment throughout the planning, implementation, launch, and day-to-day management phases. A bespoke change management program, including roadshows and training guides, was also delivered to help hiring teams adopt new contingent workforce processes.
Why It's Important?
This strategic move by Under Armour is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and governance within its global workforce. By gaining better visibility and control over its contingent workforce, the company can optimize resource allocation, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with labor regulations across various regions. The standardization of processes for contingent workers, including independent contractors and referral hires, ensures that all appointments adhere to company policy, mitigating potential legal and financial risks. This improved management system provides a 'single source of truth' for its corporate contingent workforce, which is vital for data-driven decision-making and strategic workforce planning. For a global company like Under Armour, effective contingent workforce management is essential for maintaining agility and responsiveness in a dynamic business environment.
What's Next?
Under Armour will continue to leverage the enhanced visibility and control provided by the new MSP program to further optimize its contingent workforce management. The company is expected to refine its processes, potentially expanding the program to more departments or regions as its workforce needs evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the program's effectiveness will be critical to ensure it continues to meet Under Armour's strategic objectives. The success of this initiative may also serve as a model for other large corporations facing similar challenges in managing their global contingent workforces. Future steps could involve integrating more advanced analytics to predict workforce needs and further streamline recruitment and onboarding processes for contingent staff.
Beyond the Headlines
The initiative by Under Armour highlights a broader trend in corporate America towards more sophisticated management of contingent workforces. As companies increasingly rely on temporary staff, contractors, and freelancers, the need for robust systems to track, manage, and integrate these workers becomes paramount. This shift reflects the evolving nature of work, with a growing emphasis on flexibility and specialized skills. The ethical and legal implications of managing a contingent workforce, including fair compensation, benefits, and compliance with labor laws, are significant. By investing in better visibility and standardization, Under Armour is not only improving its operational efficiency but also potentially enhancing its reputation as a responsible employer, which can be a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
