Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T07:50:42.629Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Independent professionals (IPros) and well-being: An emerging focus for research?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 December 2016

Michel Syrett
Michel Syrett*
Affiliation:
Roffey Park Institute, Horsham, UK
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In this paper, the author, a freelance writer and researcher who has worked in this way for over 30 years, draws on his own experience of independent working to present freelancing and well-being as an important yet neglected area of research. The paper is therefore presents a brief overview of the context of freelancing, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe as this is the working environment of the author. This overview is blended with a review the existing research on the topic of freelancer well-being. The aim is to reveal the questions and issues that the author feels encompass well-being in this context as well as to highlight some recent initiatives where independent workers and their clients have worked together to support key areas of their vulnerability compared with those in full-time employment. Setting this often intensely personal perspective set against the wider context of academic and practitioner research reveals that, in contrast to some the common public opinion that freelance and contract work is ‘second-rate’ option, many independent professionals are happy about the way they work and experience high levels of job satisfaction. However, what does also emerge is that beyond local professional bodies and associations, many feel almost completely unsupported. Of greatest concern were reports of being treated with neglect and even suspicion by policy and law makers. The hope is that this paper heralds the beginnings of a wider research agenda into this important but neglected aspect of the independent professional workforce.

Keywords

Europesmall-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMES)work-related attitudes/behaviourswell-being and psychosocial risk factors
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 22 , Special Issue 6: Self-employed professionals, freelancers and contractors , November 2016 , pp. 817 - 825
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Benach, J., Vives, A., Amable, M., Vanroelen, C., Tarafa, G., & Muntaner, C. (2014). Precarious employment: understanding an emerging social determinant of health. Public Health, 35(1), 229–253.Google Scholar
Dellot, B. (2013). Is self-employment the best option for people managing mental illness?. RSA Website, 30. Retrieved on 8th February 2016 from https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/rsa-blogs/2013/10/is-self-employment-the-best-option-for-people-managing-mental-illnes Google Scholar
Devine, M., & Syrett, M. (2014). Managing Talent. Recruitment retaining and getting the most from talented people. Profile Books, London.Google Scholar
Dullroy, J. (2015, January 14). Freelancers unite to get sickness and other employment benefits. The Guardian. Retrieved on 8th February 2016 from https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jan/14/freelance-payment-sickness-leave Google Scholar
European Commission (2016). Employment and social developments in Europe 2015. Retrieved on 8th February 2016 from http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=7859&furtherPubs=yes Google Scholar
Eurofound (2016). Working time developments in the 21st century: work duration and its regulation in the EU (Eurofound project: Working time developments in the 21st century). Luxembourg.Google Scholar
European Commission (2015). Labour market and wage developments in Europe 2015. Brussels: EC.Google Scholar
Evans-Lacko, S., Knapp, M., McCrone, P., Thornicroft, G., & Mojtabai, R. (2013). The mental health consequences of the recession: economic hardship and employment of people with mental health problems in 27 European countries. PLoS One, 8(7), e69792.Google Scholar
Frankus, A. (2015). Willingness and ability to save: the self-employed and their old age provision. Paper presented at Global Workshop on Freelance and Independent Professional Research, Association of Independent Professional and the Self Employed, 26–27 November, London.Google Scholar
Frick, J., & Grabka, M. (2013). Public pension entitlement and the distribution of wealth. In J.C. Gornick, & M. Jäntti (Eds.), Income inequality (pp. 362–385). Economic disparities and the middle class in affluent countries, Stanford University Press, Stanford.Google Scholar
Gash, V. (2008). Bridge or trap? Temporary workers’ transitions to unemployment and to the standard employment contract. European Sociological Review, 24(5), 651–668.Google Scholar
International Labour Office (2015). Small and medium-sized enterprises and decent and productive employment creation (ILC.104/IV International Labour Conference, 104th Session, 2015 Report IV Ed.). Geneva: ILO.Google Scholar
Kautonen, T., Down, S., & Minniti, M. (2014). Ageing and entrepreneurial preferences. Small Business Economics, 42(3), 579–594.Google Scholar
Leighton, P., & Brown, D. (2013). Future working: the rise of Europe’s independent professionals. Retrieved 21st October 2015 from http://www.um.es/prinum/uploaded/files/Future_Working_Full_Report-2%20final%20subir%20web.pdf Google Scholar
Morley, K. (2014). Self-employed? You’re stepping into pensions nightmare. Daily Telegraph, 1 November. Retrieved on 8th February 2016 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/11174288/Self-employed-Youre-stumbling-into-pensions-nightmare.html Google Scholar
Nätti, J. (1993). Temporary employment in the Nordic countries: a ‘trap’ or a ‘bridge’? Work, Employment & Society, 7(3), 451–464.Google Scholar
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2013). The Dutch labour market: preparing for the future. Retrieved on 8th February 2016 from http://www.oecd.org/eco/labour/2013-4.pdf Google Scholar
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2015). Financing SMEs and entrepreneurs 2015: an OECD scoreboard. Retrieved on 8th February 2016 from http://www.oecd.org/cfe/smes/financing-smes-and-entrepreneurs-23065265.htm Google Scholar
Rouse, J., & Kitchen, J. (2015). Pregnancy and maternity in self-employment. Presentation at Global Workshop on Freelance and Independent Professional Research, Association of Independent Professional and the Self Employed, 26–27 November, London.Google Scholar
Schmitt, M. T., Branscombe, N. R., Postmes, T., & Garcia, A. (2014). The consequences of perceived discrimination for psychological well-being: a meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 921–948.Google Scholar
Tims, M., Bakker, A. B., & Derks, D. (2013). The impact of job crafting on job demands, job resources, and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 18(2), 230–240.Google Scholar
Van De Voorde, K., Paauwe, J., & Van Veldhoven, M (2012). Employee well‐being and the HRM–organizational performance relationship: a review of quantitative studies. International Journal of Management Reviews, 14(4), 391–407.Google Scholar
Watson, I. (2013). Bridges or traps? Casualisation and labour market transitions in Australia. Journal of Industrial Relations, 55(1), 6–37.Google Scholar
Wilkin, C. L. (2013). I can’t get no job satisfaction: meta‐analysis comparing permanent and contingent workers. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34(1), 47–64.Google Scholar
Wood, S. J., & Michaelides, G. (2016). Challenge and hindrance stressors and wellbeing-based work–nonwork interference: a diary study of portfolio workers. Human Relations, 69(1), 111–138.Google Scholar
World Health Organisation (2001). NMH Communication, World Health Report, Geneva.Google Scholar