- In 2021, nearly half (45%) of freelancers saw an increase in demand as a result of Covid-19 and the Great Resignation
- Almost three quarters (72%) of freelancers say they are now happier than when in full-time employment
London – In 2021, nearly half (45%) of freelancers across the UK and US saw an increased demand as a result of Covid-19 and the resulting Great Resignation, according to research analysing contractor trends from Worksome, the tech platform connecting businesses with freelancers.
Job vacancies in the UK are at an all-time high at the moment, while a record 4.5 million American workers quit their jobs in November owing to the Great Resignation. The Great Resignation, caused by months of remote working during the pandemic led many workers to reassess their careers, job satisfaction and in a large number of cases, resign. 14% of freelancers in the US & UK said that the Great Resignation had directly led to them becoming a freelancer.
Freelancers claim to be more satisfied than when working full time, with nearly three quarters (72%) happier and 61% claiming to have more free time. The Covid-19 pandemic cast a stark light on work-life balance and changing attitudes to flexible working, and this is nowhere more reflective than in the growing freelance community.
Job flexibility and work life balance (78%) are the most important motivators for freelance workers, 8% higher than money (70%). Interestingly, freelance work is also now allowing workers to focus on the causes that matter to them, with purpose (66%) also listed as one of the top motivators.
The increased demand for freelancers is also being reflected in the remuneration they are able to command, with many day rates in excess of full-time earnings. Those freelancers that have worked previously in full time employment stated that they now earn more, with over half (53%) saying they earn more as a freelancer than they did as a permanent employee.
Despite the multiple benefits of freelancing, there are still challenges. Freelancers admitted that the most common challenges they face are finding the right job, deciding the right pricing and taxes & accounting.
Like permanent work, there are also still prejudices that exist like, for example, age discrimination. Nearly a quarter of freelancers (23%) have experienced challenges finding work due to their age. The age group claiming to be experiencing this the most is the 50-59 year old (29%) bracket, indicating that age discrimination is a significant but often ignored problem in the workplace.
