New self-employed individuals are working fewer hours than their counterparts who have been in business for more than two years, according to a survey by HR service provider Acerta. This trend is attributed to a focus on achieving a better work-life balance. Christine Festjens from Acerta notes that new business owners work an average of 44.7 hours per week, compared to 47 hours per week for starters in 2022.
In addition to working fewer hours, new self-employed individuals are also taking more time off, with an average of eighteen vacation days. This aligns with the median of twenty days, which is the standard number of vacation days for full-time employees. While the survey did not delve into reasons for the decrease in working hours, interactions with new self-employed individuals indicate a growing emphasis on mental well-being.
Acerta’s conversations with new entrepreneurs suggest that there is a shift towards setting boundaries for availability and prioritizing work-life balance. The survey results confirm that mental well-being is becoming increasingly important for self-employed individuals across various sectors. Festjens emphasizes that many new business owners cite achieving a better work-life balance as one of the primary reasons for pursuing self-employment, reflecting a broader trend towards prioritizing mental health and well-being in the workplace.