Long Hours, Limited Rights and an Uncertain Future

[madmax]

While freelancing is often associated with flexibility, the survey suggests that flexibility largely benefits employers, not workers. Most freelancers report routinely working 10–12 hour days, and access to paid leave, parental support or flexible arrangements remains rare — especially for women. More than a third said their work had influenced major life decisions, including whether to have children.

Bectu argues that without meaningful reform — including action on late payments, access to sick pay and parental leave, and stronger enforcement of rights — the industry risks losing experienced talent. Nearly one-third of freelancers already expect to leave the creative sector within five years, a trend that could undermine one of the UK’s most globally competitive industries if left unaddressed.