People who are newly self-employed work over 2 hours less per week compared to previous starters.

Self-employed individuals who recently started their own business are working on average more than 2 hours per week less than those who have been in business for over two years. According to HR service provider Acerta, this decrease in working hours can be attributed to a focus on achieving a better balance between work and personal life. Christine Festjens of Acerta notes that starters are currently working an average of 44.7 hours per week, compared to 47 hours per week in 2022.

In addition to working fewer hours, starters are also taking an average of eighteen days of vacation, with a median of twenty days. This aligns with the number of statutory vacation days that a full-time employee is entitled to. The Acerta survey, which included over 500 self-employed individuals in their main occupation and 400 in their secondary occupation, did not delve into the reasons behind the decrease in working hours, but conversations with starting self-employed people suggest a growing focus on mental well-being.

Festjens explains that self-employed individuals are increasingly prioritizing a work-life balance, with many citing it as one of the main reasons for choosing self-employment. The survey results confirm this trend, indicating a heightened awareness of mental well-being among self-employed individuals across various sectors. This shift is reflected in their reduced working hours and increased emphasis on setting boundaries around availability, leading to a healthier work-life balance overall.