90% of self-employed are happier workers

Nine out of ten self-employed professionals in the UK are happier working for themselves, as opposed to when they were in traditional employment.

According to a survey on 250 self-employed professionals by Markel, the top three things most enjoyed by self-employed workers are freedom in their working life, being their own boss and being able to fit their work around other commitments.

Almost 40% said they miss nothing from the typical working environment, while those that did cited social interaction and outings with colleagues as the most missed aspects.

Despite this, 18% of respondents spend just one to four hours with family per week, the equivalent of up to 34 minutes per day, while a further 20% see them for less than an hour a week – a maximum of just nine minutes per day.