New research has revealed that the over-50s have been swelling the ranks of freelance workers and umbrella company contractors at a rather steady clip.
According to the Office of National Statistics, these older Brits are actually at the forefront when it comes to transitioning from a traditional permanent employment arrangement to self-employment instead. In fact, more than 7 out of every 10 Brits joining the ranks of the self-employed between 2008 and 2013 were over the age of 50 the ONS said.
In many ways I’m not truly surprised by this development. Freelancing and contracting often requires shedloads of experience on the part of a self-employed worker, and truly the only way to gain that kind of experience is after a long career down in the trenches so to speak. On top of that even some of the best and most experienced permanent employees suddenly found themselves sacked or made redundant in the wake of the credit crisis and resultant economic recession, leaving older Brits with the unenviable choice of delving back into the employment market flooded with jobseekers, many of which are available to hire for much less because they’re young and inexperienced. In a recession, which worker would you choose?
In other words, at first I’m sure that switching to a freelancing career was more of a matter of life and death than a true conscious choice. Survival trumps more or less every other goal, and if it means striking out on your own or working through an umbrella company in order to keep a roof over your head or your family fed, I don’t think anyone would choose otherwise. Of course as the years wear on and the economy finally begins to regain its feet the freelancing movement has become one that workers join voluntarily for the flexibility it offers – and the over-50 crowd is smart enough and experienced enough to see the benefits.
Besides, do you really want to report to a supervisor or boss that’s half your age and have him or her tell you what to do in that patronising tone of voice? I know I certainly wouldn’t – and I can wager that no one else out there feels the same way. It’s yet another perk as working for yourself instead of someone else.
