Are you a happy contractor?

One of the big accounting groups has released the results of their "contractor attitude survey" with some interesting percentages.

 

http://www.sjdaccountancy.com/news/contractor_attitude_survey_results.html

 

As someone who does a little sole trading on the side it gives me a lot of hope for the day when I go fully self employed.

 

57% found contracting has improved their work/life balance

77% found to have a higher job satisfaction when contractor compared to being an employee

Two thirds of contractors saw the state of the contracting market to be positive

Over three quarters of contractors feel positive about the general outlook, despite just under a third had seem a decrease in rates in the last six months.

47% of contractors haven’t seen a change in their daily rate over the last 6 months.

76% don’t miss the benefits of being an employee, such as sick pay.

 

But do you agree with these numbers?

Here's my thoughts on it...

 

Contracting has improved their work/life balance - I'd have to say yes.

 

Found to have a higher job satisfaction when contractor compared to being an employee - agreed. You feel more like the work was your own.

 

Contractors saw the state of the contracting market to be positive - Agree again, many bemoan "I can't find work", "the indians are taking all our jobs" in these circumstances it's normally the freelancer at fault as they've spent a lot of time learning web design and not as much learning business. This is their first point of failure.

 

Contractors feel positive about the general outlook, despite just under a third had seem a decrease in rates in the last six months - Not seen a decrease in rates myself, so can't really comment.

 

Contractors haven’t seen a change in their daily rate over the last 6 months - Agreed

 

Don’t miss the benefits of being an employee, such as sick pay - Nope, factor in travel, food etc and you're not much better off having the option of sick pay. In fact, put that excess money in a 'sick pay' account and take yourself on a nice holiday instead. It's also much easier to work when you're sick if you are at home.

Yeah, I'm sorely tempted to go full time freelance.

I worked out that in my current employment, 8 days of work on freelancer wages would equate to my current full-time salary. Just imagine what I could do with the other 12 days each month!

 

Certainly Some food for thought...