London – It sounds rather like wishful thinking. But those who get sacked or quit their jobs to work for themselves are the happiest and most productive workers, according to research.
Freelancers typically work a 38-hour week, earn a median wage of £43,000 – well above the national average of £25,000 – and are happier than other workers.
This, for many, is because they have no permanent boss and so don’t have to face criticism or unfair demands.
Nor do they have to battle it out with colleagues to get ahead.
Researchers said that it was the ideal lifestyle, allowing people to work from home and a variety of other locations, and work only for themselves.
Dr Jonathan Sapsed, from Brighton University’s business school which conducted the research, said: ‘For many, freelancing is emerging as the ideal lifestyle, especially in creative and digital industries where people can work from any location, including home, and which demand high levels of innovation.’
He and his colleagues, with funding from the Arts & Humanities Research Council, looked at 304 freelancers who were pursuing a range of professions in southern England.
‘Many had indeed been made redundant by their former employers, but far from struggling to get by, many were doing well and said it was the best thing that could have happened to them,’ said Sapsed.
There are about 31million people in work in Britain, of whom about 4.6million are self-employed.
Ed Vaizey, the culture, communications and creative industries minister, said the findings of the study showed the vitality of the freelance economy.
‘The self-employed play a key role in driving the culture of innovation in the creative and digital industries and are a vital part of Britain’s economic growth,’ he said.
Daily Mail