Would you prefer to work for yourself or be employed by someone else?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

I’m just wondering what people’s views are, after a conversation with a friend who thinks I’m mad to have left a secure, well paid public sector job in favour of self-employment.

Three years on, it’s worked out well for me. But she still thinks I’m mad. As I’ve got older, I’ve had less time for the processes and limitations involved when working for others (especially in the public sector). I’m proud of what I’ve made, my pay is better (but not the untold riches my public sector colleagues seem to believe I am paid) and I love the flexibility to be able to do the work I want, when I want. I don’t think I could ever go back. I think I still do a good job and help people, but on my own terms.

On the other hand, the leave entitlement and pension, as well as the camaraderie (if you have nice colleagues) are sadly missed.

What do other people think?

I’m too lazy to work for myself. I’m as lazy as possible in my employed role but I know how much (little) I need to do to keep my job and get paid.

Employed for me. I want to know exactly what wages I will have each month, I want paid holidays and someone else to do all the boring bits with HMRC. I could never be self employed.

Angelica I get that. Bring able to fly under the radar for a few months whilst heavily pregnant and still get paid was a godsend to me.

I've done both. Currently self-employed. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

Even though I'm self-employed and my own boss I'm still "working for others" - my clients. And they can be just as demanding and awkward as managers or colleagues.

Employed! Being self employed terrifies me, I love the stability of being employed, everything being provided for me, taxes etc done, annual leave, excellent pension. The thought of "being my own boss" has never appealed to me in the slightest. I could go self employed as a consultant, there would be a lot of money in it, but it terrifies me! Flexible working in a corporate environment is the perfect balance for me.

My DH wants to go self employed in a few years, it makes my blood run cold thinking about it.

RaspberryCoulis they can be demanding ( although when self employed you can give them the heave-ho). And there’s no organisation to hide in or boss to back you up. When employed I found it hard feeling sometimes stuck between the expectations of my employer and what my clients actually needed.

SE for me. I can’t explain it - I’m a diligent person who will go to the ends of the earth for a client / company and really give my all. But there’s something about the expectations of work - like, why does it matter if I’m in at 9am, and why am I anxious even if my employer trusts me? - that just screws it all up for me. I’m much happier self-employed but I quietly think that if I’d joined a big company young, when I had more tolerance for bullshit, I’d have risen through the ranks.

I’ve ended up self-employed but managing 100 volunteers, with a board of trustees behind me .

I can see the benefits of both but I would absolutely hate to be self employed. I'd struggle with motivation and hate not having guaranteed income and security. I know it's many people's dream to be their own boss but has never ever been mine. But I'm very glad it's working out for you!