Employees have long been experimenting with different types of work in order to achieve a perfect work-life balance. One of the most desirable options for millions of specialists worldwide is freelancing. The reasoning behind most decisions to become a freelancer is centered around a person’s ability to manage time most efficiently with the aim of reaching a certain level of freedom. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that numerous jobs can, in fact, be performed remotely due to the recent advances in information technologies. While many employees currently enjoy all the opportunities that freelancing provides, there are millions of people who miss the atmosphere in the office, even if they do not need to commute there to perform great.
Working in an office is generally considered to be a preferable option by most companies, as numerous studies and cases have proven that such type of work provides both employers and employees with multiple advantages. An office can generally serve as a real think tank, as employees with completely different backgrounds have the chance to discuss any issues with each other in the most effective way. Moreover, an open space office environment can lead to a significant synergy effect, especially in the companies that rely greatly on a constant influx of new ideas needed to reveal new lucrative business opportunities.
Corporate culture is also a serious issue that can be problematic for business owners and managers whenever a substantial portion of employees get the chance to work remotely. Workers tend to undermine the long-lasting traditions and standards of service once they realize bosses no longer have the opportunity to reward or fine them duly due to the lack of information and communication. Active interaction in the office, in contrast, encourages employees to stay effective, which is definitely beneficial for them in the long run. Therefore, motivation should be considered a crucial merit of working full-time in an office. Nevertheless, sometimes it can be less lucrative than being a freelancer, as the high cost of constructing and even renting offices directly impacts workers’ salaries. Businesses, in general, seem to benefit much more than workers when most employees work full-time in the office.
Being a freelancer has numerous advantages that are generally associated with the opportunity to work whenever and wherever a person wants. Remote employees do not have to commute to work, which automatically adds several extra free hours to their schedule, especially in large congested cities. Moreover, this option can be genuinely nice for introverts who are not eager to actively communicate with their colleagues and constantly make alterations to the original plans.
Nevertheless, it is essential to distinguish between various types of working conditions that may be implied by the umbrella term “freelancing”. Some freelancers are, in fact, average employees who for some reason work from home. These people sometimes enjoy plenty of benefits associated with working for a company, including health insurance. At the same time, millions of freelancers work for companies specializing in reselling freelance labor to clients. Such workers hardly feel as secure as those who are cared for by their companies that have certain social responsibilities. Finally, there is a soaring number of workers who do not have any ties to any company. These people are not protected by any type of specific legislation, which makes them especially vulnerable at times of economic crises. The gig economy, in general, is increasingly seen by many people as a harmful trend that undermines the traditional institutionalized employer-employee relationship that multiple generations have struggled for.
Freelancers tend to enjoy great freedom and therefore are expected to act in a more responsible manner. Such workers do not enjoy the opportunity to contact their bosses whenever something is unclear. Thus, they are expected to act independently under any circumstances and make weighed decisions even when exposed to stress. Moreover, it is hard to use a wide array of soft skills for a person who spends all working hours in front of a laptop screen at home. Thus, sometimes freelancers need to work harder in order to distinguish themselves and thus may encounter certain difficulties while climbing the career ladder and being promoted in general. Moreover, some types of freelancers have to spend a substantial amount of time and energy on advertising their services in order to attract clients.
Some people who are enthusiastic about becoming a freelancer often regret such a decision a few months later. Although they no longer need to spend long hours in traffic jams, they may realize that they lack something. In most cases, staying in a comfortable home atmosphere undermines the motivation to achieve great results and build a career. Moreover, just a few weeks spent without colleagues may make a person miss them, as people tend to enjoy all the friendly small talks and support they have at their workplaces.
In conclusion, although becoming a freelancer turns out to be much harder for most people when they actually try it, some workers still enjoy all the aspects of this opportunity. Even though freelancing is not suitable for everyone, the advantages it offers may encourage a person to turn freelancing into a real career. The COVID-19 lockdowns will likely make people realize what they prioritize and whether they are responsible enough to act independently while performing most tasks.