Full‑Time Employees Outpaced Freelancers in Burnout Levels During 2023

Fiverr’s Fresh Take on the UK Freelance Scene

Fiverr International Ltd has turned the spotlight on the buzzing world of freelancers and self‑employed freelancers working with businesses across the UK. Their latest study (backed by 1,000 respondents – 500 gig‑workers and 500 business leaders) gives a quick, friendly snapshot of what’s happening in 2023‑2024.

Burnout? Oh, no, not on the freelancing side!

Full‑time folks reported 52% burnout last year.
Freelancers & self‑employed? Just 37%.
And the best part? Boom—only 38% of them are looking to switch it up in 2024, compared to a whopping 51% of business leaders.

Business leaders seem to see the silver lining: 59% told us that partnering with freelancers helped keep their full‑time teams from flipping out. The gig economy is the new secret sauce for easing headache‑inducing workloads.

How Many Companies Are Hiring Gigs?

Of the surveyed business heads, over half (47%) are already collaborating with freelancers or are planning to by next year. It’s a growing trend that looks to keep the creative juices flowing without the burnout blues.

Seven “Ninja” Skills Businesses Want from Freelancers

Consulting: 31%
Marketing: 29%
Design: 30%
And the star of the show—AI specialisms! From prompt engineers to AI app developers and video editors, the platform is buzzing with folks ready to help businesses innovate.

Interesting twist: Most freelancers are unfazed by AI. 59% say it won’t eat their gigs; 26% even hope it’ll cut their stress. Think of AI as your trusty sidekick, not a job‑stealing robot.

What Do Companies Need?

If you’re on the hiring side, you’ll want freelancers who can:

Provide instant consultancy insights.
Drive killer marketing campaigns.
Design with flair and precision.
Harness AI to outsmart competition.

Bottom Line

Freelancers are flaring up as the spark that keeps professional grind in check. Companies are catching on, and the gig economy is pumping fresh talent into the mix—no burnout looming on the freelancing front, thanks to creativity, adaptability, and a dash of AI. Whether you’re a freelancer or a business leader, 2024 looks promising: keep your eyes on the gig horizon and stay ready to surf the creative wave!

Late payments a consistent challenge

Freelancers, Late Payments, and the No‑Pain, No Gain Reality

For many freelancers and the self‑employed, the daily grind often feels less “creative pursuit” and more “endless invoice‑pursuit marathon.” 46% of these workers admit that the headache of chasing unpaid clients is a big part of why they burn out.

The Financial Fears That Keep Knocking

Late invoices mean cash‑flow chaos.
Paperwork piling up turns the brightest minds into reluctant spreadsheet lovers.
When money’s tight, creativity takes a backseat.

Missing a Hand in the Government Playbook

Only 12% of freelancers feel that the UK government backs them up, and a mere 1 in 10 think society actually encourages their career path—so the biggest bill of the government is, “we’re not here for you.”

Keep More of Your Hard‑Earned Cash

Adedapo warns: “Despite the government’s new late‑payment crackdown launched last October for SMEs, solo freelancers—who usually run their own one‑man bands—were overlooked. That means the problem of delayed pay looks set to stay the same in 2024.”

He adds that using an online platform that safeguards payments can be a lifesaver: “It’s a safety net that protects the money you’ve worked hard for, so you can focus on the creative side of your business.”