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Independent vs. employee – and how you can get the best of both worlds
There is a big difference between being self-employed and being an employee or employee. First of all in the responsibility but also in the freedom, where there are both advantages and disadvantages to both parts.
Hvis du går med overvejelser om at skifte lønmodtagerjobbet ud med livet som self employed freelancer, kan du her se vores liste over fordele og ulemper ved at være selvstændig freelancer – der er nemlig flere ting, som er gode at have med i overvejelserne.
Independent freelancer vs. wage earner
Some of the biggest differences between being self-employed and being an employee are inevitably the great responsibility that comes with the new freedom.
Most often, responsibility and freedom go hand in hand, which means that as a self-employed person you get greater freedom in the form of being able to decide most things yourself, choose your own working hours, tasks, etc., but also greater responsibility, especially administrative and financial , as everything now depends on you.
When you've landed on the right one idea for your business, it is then about finding the right solution for you and feeling for the working life you dream of creating.
There are also alternative solutions and help available as an independent freelancer, which we will go into in more detail below.
An easier freelance life with Factofly
Be a freelancer without hassle and get paid without your own CVR number with Factofly. We help almost 2,000 others with an everyday life without administration.
Advantages and disadvantages of being an independent freelancer rather than an employee
Advantages and disadvantages can of course vary individually, but below you will find our take on a list of the advantages and disadvantages of being an independent freelancer rather than an employee, as well as pitfalls and things you can take into consideration.
- Freedom and flexibility - As a self-employed person, you often have greater freedom and flexibility than as an employee. You decide your working hours yourself, which tasks you want to take on, when you want to take vacation, where you work and much more. So you get the opportunity to arrange your own work so that it fits the life you want to live.
- Give yourself a raise - Have you acquired new skills or improved recently? As a self-employed person, you don't have to wait for a pay rise, as you regulate your own prices. If you are good at selling yourself and finding clients, you will therefore be more confident of being paid what you are worth. Many employers also do not regulate wages according to inflation, where it is an advantage as a self-employed person to be able to quickly regulate prices, e.g. during economic social crises with strong inflation.
- Industry change - Are you considering trying out a new industry? Would you like to vary your work tasks? Then it is easier to test as self-employed rather than as an employee, where you usually have to go out and look for a new job for this. As an independent freelancer, you can more easily try out a task or two within your intended direction or simply vary your work tasks.
- Passion and creativity - Life as an independent worker can in most cases follow your development to a greater extent. You have the opportunity to be creative with the arrangement of your working life, so you ensure that you are always dealing with your passion – even if this may change along the way.
- 'Colleagues' and business partners - Another advantage of being independent is that you decide entirely yourself who you surround yourself with and work with. Do you not get on well with a customer or business partner? Then you can simply choose to replace them with new ones.
Disadvantages of life as a freelancer
- Responsibility - As a self-employed person, you yourself are responsible for ensuring that money comes into the coffers, that the accounts are correct and that the work is delivered. If, for example, a customer is dissatisfied, it is also you who is responsible, although at times you might want someone to pass the responsibility on to.
- Accounting & administration - Accounting is something that most self-employed freelancers spend a lot of time on. Unless you make use of e.g. one freelance agency, which handles the invoicing and administration, independent freelancers spend an average of 13.6 hours on administration each month. Unless this post is outsourced, you will need to spend quite a bit of time on this.
- Uncertainty - As an independent freelancer, you will have to quickly develop a strong mindset, an inner calm and believe in yourself. Especially at the start or in crises, the future can feel uncertain - because when will the next customer come? And can you pay your bills by the 1st? Depending on who you are as a person, this part can either be an exciting adventure or a mental roller coaster ride that you have to learn to handle.
- Loneliness - Life as an independent freelancer usually does not offer many colleagues and social interaction. So unless you are comfortable alone every day, you will have to make an extra effort to find communities that can replace the colleagues you had as an employee - Can you do without the company party and the Christmas lunch?
- Self-discipline & structure - It's great to be completely free and be able to manage your own time, but if you want to be able to pay your bills, it also requires self-discipline and structure. Even if you're having a bad day, you need to be able to pull yourself together and keep track of work and deadlines - even if your boss isn't waiting for you at 8, for you is the boss!
Independent freelancer - find alternative solutions
Although life as an independent worker is not always a piece of cake, the many benefits come with it. It's about feeling out and, if it feels right, daring to take the leap!
Most of the disadvantages on this list can be worked on along the way or find an alternative solution.
As you get used to life as an independent freelancer, your mindset and belief in yourself will also be strengthened, where you learn to handle the crises that must now come.
Find some good communities and partners so that you are not always alone and let the responsibility for your own working life grow on you.
When it comes to administration and accounting, luckily there are also solutions if you want to avoid this. Many, of course, use an accountant, while more and more are putting their trust in one freelance agency, who for a small fee handles all administration and accounting.
Be creative and open - Then you will quickly find solutions and the right shelf for you in your new working life!
Independent vs. employee – and how you can get the best of both worlds
There is a big difference between being self-employed and being an employee or employee. First of all in the responsibility but also in the freedom, where there are both advantages and disadvantages to both parts.
Hvis du går med overvejelser om at skifte lønmodtagerjobbet ud med livet som self employed freelancer, kan du her se vores liste over fordele og ulemper ved at være selvstændig freelancer – der er nemlig flere ting, som er gode at have med i overvejelserne.
Independent freelancer vs. wage earner
Some of the biggest differences between being self-employed and being an employee are inevitably the great responsibility that comes with the new freedom.
Most often, responsibility and freedom go hand in hand, which means that as a self-employed person you get greater freedom in the form of being able to decide most things yourself, choose your own working hours, tasks, etc., but also greater responsibility, especially administrative and financial , as everything now depends on you.
When you've landed on the right one idea for your business, it is then about finding the right solution for you and feeling for the working life you dream of creating.
There are also alternative solutions and help available as an independent freelancer, which we will go into in more detail below.
An easier freelance life with Factofly
Be a freelancer without hassle and get paid without your own CVR number with Factofly. We help almost 2,000 others with an everyday life without administration.
Advantages and disadvantages of being an independent freelancer rather than an employee
Advantages and disadvantages can of course vary individually, but below you will find our take on a list of the advantages and disadvantages of being an independent freelancer rather than an employee, as well as pitfalls and things you can take into consideration.
- Freedom and flexibility - As a self-employed person, you often have greater freedom and flexibility than as an employee. You decide your working hours yourself, which tasks you want to take on, when you want to take vacation, where you work and much more. So you get the opportunity to arrange your own work so that it fits the life you want to live.
- Give yourself a raise - Have you acquired new skills or improved recently? As a self-employed person, you don't have to wait for a pay rise, as you regulate your own prices. If you are good at selling yourself and finding clients, you will therefore be more confident of being paid what you are worth. Many employers also do not regulate wages according to inflation, where it is an advantage as a self-employed person to be able to quickly regulate prices, e.g. during economic social crises with strong inflation.
- Industry change - Are you considering trying out a new industry? Would you like to vary your work tasks? Then it is easier to test as self-employed rather than as an employee, where you usually have to go out and look for a new job for this. As an independent freelancer, you can more easily try out a task or two within your intended direction or simply vary your work tasks.
- Passion and creativity - Life as an independent worker can in most cases follow your development to a greater extent. You have the opportunity to be creative with the arrangement of your working life, so you ensure that you are always dealing with your passion – even if this may change along the way.
- 'Colleagues' and business partners - Another advantage of being independent is that you decide entirely yourself who you surround yourself with and work with. Do you not get on well with a customer or business partner? Then you can simply choose to replace them with new ones.
Disadvantages of life as a freelancer
- Responsibility - As a self-employed person, you yourself are responsible for ensuring that money comes into the coffers, that the accounts are correct and that the work is delivered. If, for example, a customer is dissatisfied, it is also you who is responsible, although at times you might want someone to pass the responsibility on to.
- Accounting & administration - Accounting is something that most self-employed freelancers spend a lot of time on. Unless you make use of e.g. one freelance agency, which handles the invoicing and administration, independent freelancers spend an average of 13.6 hours on administration each month. Unless this post is outsourced, you will need to spend quite a bit of time on this.
- Uncertainty - As an independent freelancer, you will have to quickly develop a strong mindset, an inner calm and believe in yourself. Especially at the start or in crises, the future can feel uncertain - because when will the next customer come? And can you pay your bills by the 1st? Depending on who you are as a person, this part can either be an exciting adventure or a mental roller coaster ride that you have to learn to handle.
- Loneliness - Life as an independent freelancer usually does not offer many colleagues and social interaction. So unless you are comfortable alone every day, you will have to make an extra effort to find communities that can replace the colleagues you had as an employee - Can you do without the company party and the Christmas lunch?
- Self-discipline & structure - It's great to be completely free and be able to manage your own time, but if you want to be able to pay your bills, it also requires self-discipline and structure. Even if you're having a bad day, you need to be able to pull yourself together and keep track of work and deadlines - even if your boss isn't waiting for you at 8, for you is the boss!
Independent freelancer - find alternative solutions
Although life as an independent worker is not always a piece of cake, the many benefits come with it. It's about feeling out and, if it feels right, daring to take the leap!
Most of the disadvantages on this list can be worked on along the way or find an alternative solution.
As you get used to life as an independent freelancer, your mindset and belief in yourself will also be strengthened, where you learn to handle the crises that must now come.
Find some good communities and partners so that you are not always alone and let the responsibility for your own working life grow on you.
When it comes to administration and accounting, luckily there are also solutions if you want to avoid this. Many, of course, use an accountant, while more and more are putting their trust in one freelance agency, who for a small fee handles all administration and accounting.
Be creative and open - Then you will quickly find solutions and the right shelf for you in your new working life!
