A new study has revealed that 69 per cent of freelance workers and 63 per cent of temporary workers either moved to or considered moving to permanent full-time or part-time roles in 2021. The study, conducted by staffing industry software provider Bullhorn International, revealed that job security and rate of pay were the biggest concerns for freelance and temporary workers.
52 per cent of freelancers cited job security as their main concern, along with 42 per cent of temporary workers. However, a higher rate of permanent workers polled cited job security as their main concern (54 per cent). Meanwhile, 46 per cent of freelancers said rate of pay was their biggest concern, compared to 29 per cent of temporary workers and 38 per cent of permanent staff.
With IR35 coming into force for private sector companies last year, Bullhorn’s study also looked at whether it had become harder for self-employed and temporary workers to find work. 33 per cent of freelancers said they found it easier to secure work last year, 44 per cent said it was the same as before, while 23 per cent said it was harder. For temporary workers, 23 per cent found it easier, 48 per cent said it was the same and 39 per cent said it was harder.
Despite the challenges they face, the study also revealed that the majority of self-employed (72 per cent) and temporary workers (63 per cent) described their experiences of work as either “good” or “excellent”. 44 per cent of freelance and temporary workers said that flexibility was the main benefit of their work.
Bullhorn’s Senior Vice President, EMEA and APAC, Andy Ingham, commented: “While the gig economy appears to be growing rapidly, unresolved issues around job security and pay could threaten to derail it. Ongoing regulatory concerns like IR35 and the continued impact of the pandemic could further exacerbate the issue. Why risk job security and worse pay for flexibility that can be increasingly found in the ‘new normal’ of permanent work?”
“Targeting disgruntled freelancers or temps could prove to be an effective recruitment strategy for employers struggling with skills shortages and the so-called ‘Great Resignation’. Whether we’re talking about gig or permanent work, it seems the winning combination is job security, a decent wage and, of course, a strong degree of flexibility. The employers that are willing and able to offer this will stand to gain the most in the current labour market.”
