Self-employed workers take more holidays, study reveals

Self-employed workers take double the amount of holiday compared to those who are employed, according to a new study from freelance jobsite PeoplePerHour.

The research showed that freelance workers spend up to 21 nights away from home in an average year, whilst those who are employed spend an average of ten nights away.

Commitments

The study also showed that self-employed workers take longer-distance holidays than employed workers, travelling an average of 2,200 miles.

The freelance careers that offer the most flexibility for holidays were also identified in the study. Freelance writers were found to be amongst those who take the most holidays, with 22 per cent going on long-distance holidays and taking more than three holidays per year.

Photographers, translators, designers and social media experts were also found to be the most likely freelance workers to take more holidays.

The research also found that younger people are more likely to take holidays abroad as a result of having less commitments, such as a mortgage, children or pets. Just 34 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds have not taken a holiday outside the UK in the past 12 months, compared to 54 per cent of 45 to 54 year olds.

Flexibility

Commenting on the research, PeoplePerHour CEO Xenios Thrasyvoulou stated that freelance workers enjoy the flexibility that the career brings.

“Freelancers, quite rightly, enjoy more the flexibility that their lifestyle choice brings, travelling further afield and staying away longer,” he said.