Last week we wrote about the study conducted by the university of Hagen dealing with similarities and differences between freelance and permanent employees.  The scientists came to the conclusion that freelancers are not less content with their working life than permanent employees.

In the second part of the survey of the university of Hagen the reserchers analyzed where the differences between freelancers and permanent employees are. Therefore in the second part 103 freelancers and permanent employees working in IT, media,training and journalism were surveyed. In the following you will find the most significant points regarding the general level of satisfaction.

Freelancers are less satisfied when it comes to:
1. their work life balance

2. their general life situation

3. their order/booking situation

However freelancers seem to be more content about:
1. their choice of employment

2. their career

3. their salaries

Particularly striking is the difference in how the quality of their activities is viewed by freelancers and permanent employees: freelancers tend to be extraordinarily satisfied in this point.

What are the most important factors motivating freelancers as well as permanent employees?
“Varying tasks” are a motivational factor which is valued higher by permanent employees than by freelancers. Important motivational factors for both groups were “personal responsibility”,  “independence” and “creative work”, the “autonomous time management” as well as the “task itself”. “Status”, “recognition “and “income” seem to be less important.

What is your experience – do you agree with the scientists main results? If you don’t agree what is your point of view?

Based on: elektronikpraxis.vogel.de