Christine Festjens of Acerta has noticed a decrease in working hours among self-employed individuals who have recently started their own business. According to the HR service provider, starters are currently working an average of 44.7 hours per week, compared to 47 hours per week in 2022. This drop in working hours can be attributed to a focus on achieving a better balance between work and personal life.
Acerta’s survey, which included over 500 self-employed individuals in their main occupation and 400 in their secondary occupation, did not delve into the reasons behind the decrease in working hours. However, conversations with starting self-employed people suggest that mental well-being is becoming increasingly important for them. Many cite this as one of the main reasons for choosing self-employment.
In addition to working fewer hours, starters are also taking an average of eighteen days of vacation, with a median of twenty days. This aligns with the number of statutory vacation days that a full-time employee is entitled to. The shift towards prioritizing mental well-being and work-life balance is reflected in their reduced working hours and increased emphasis on setting boundaries around availability, leading to a healthier overall work-life balance.
According to Festjens, self-employed individuals are increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She notes that many cite this as one of the main reasons for choosing self-employment.
Overall, it appears that there is a growing focus on mental well-being among self-employed individuals across various sectors. As such, they are working fewer hours and taking more vacation time than before.
Festjens concludes that this trend towards prioritizing mental well-being reflects a growing awareness among self-employed individuals about the importance of striking a healthy work-life balance. As such, it is important for businesses and organizations to continue supporting these efforts by providing resources and support for employees who want to maintain this balance while still achieving their goals.
