According to a new study from Fiverr, close to a third of UK workers are considering taking on freelance work in addition to their full-time role, citing the flexibility that working remotely during COVID-19 has given them.
The study of 1,046 UK workers found that 54 per cent of employees were considering some form of extra employment during 2021, with 30 per cent specifically saying they were likely to take on freelance work.
Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman said: “In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, more businesses are tapping into remote, freelance talent than ever before. Managers have become comfortable managing remote talent and businesses have realized that by working with freelancers, they are able to increase their agility and flexibility, which allows them to scale quickly.”
Among the reasons cited for seeking extra work, 30 per cent said it was because they were concerned for the job security, while 20 per cent wanted to add an extra revenue stream after seeing their pay decreased during the pandemic.
40 per cent, meanwhile, said that their experience in 2020 has made them more likely to seek a new job in 2021. 40 per cent also said that working from home has led them to realise that they could forge a legitimate career with full-time freelancing.
Liron Smadja, Fiverr Senior Director of Global Brand Marketing & International Expansion, said: “2020 was a challenging year financially, so it’s unsurprising that so many are looking to supplement their income in 2021.”
“Nearly a third (30 per cent) of UK employees surveyed agreed that they are likely to specifically take on freelance work in 2021 – this is due to the technology and options that exist for anyone with a digital skill to begin building their own passive income.”
“In 2021, we’ll see work continue to transform as employees explore new options available to them, beyond the confines of the traditional office.”
