1851

Self-employment rates have spiked, with the amount of people self-employed reaching its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-08/more-americans-are-self-employed-than-any-time-since-2008-crisis?leadSource=uverify+wall&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-there-a-rise-in-self-employment-2721545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">highest point since the Great Recession</a> of 2008. Many associate this spike with COVID-19 consequences, but this has not been the only change.At the start of the pandemic, companies were left to lay off scores of employees. With many non-essential sectors shut down, working-aged people had a slim set of options for work and turned to self employment. For those who were retained during the pandemic, the remote and hybrid models created challenges for company culture and connection, pushing otherwise gainfully employed individuals toward a work model that they were in full control of.However, this trend has snowballed, and individuals continue to pursue self-employment despite the fact that a broad portion of the general public considers the pandemic to be “over.”<a href="https://cepr.net/the-pandemic-rise-in-self-employment-who-is-working-for-themselves-now/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-there-a-rise-in-self-employment-2721545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Statistics</a> largely indicate that non-white women, often with young children at home, have turned to self-employment. From here, it can be extrapolated that key drivers include a lack of access to childcare or broader desire for workplace flexibility at home.The allure of being one’s own boss is also a key contributor to the growing desire to pursue self-employment. With this comes the flexibility that workers cannot always find in more traditional roles, but it also creates a unique work environment where entrepreneurs feel even more control over their financial futures.Finally, as the circumstances that push employees out of traditional work spaces continue to have an impact, employers are feeling the strain of workplace friction and less-than-enthusiastic employees. Though&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/understanding-americas-labor-shortage?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-there-a-rise-in-self-employment-2721545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">recent data</a> shows that there are, in fact, more open jobs than there are unemployed individuals, factors that inform where job seekers want to work include pay, benefits and flexibility. Some individuals even make the argument that there is not a labor shortage, rather a shortage of jobs worth working.As such, some job seekers—or formerly traditionally employed people—feel that they can provide themselves the benefits they would seek from a company. With employees leaving companies where they feel undervalued or not pursuing job opportunities with organizations that do not offer a certain standard of compensation, many jobs are left unfilled, forcing organizations to rely on outside help. This, again, works out very well for self-employed individuals looking to work for themselves, set their own rates and control the work environment in which they function.Related articles:<ul><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/eriksherman/2021/04/17/the-ranks-of-the-self-employed-are-exploding/?sh=76e3a8261515&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-there-a-rise-in-self-employment-2721545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Ranks Of The Self-Employed Are Exploding</a></li><li><a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/5-reasons-why-employees-prefer-self-employment-and-why-you/376318?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-there-a-rise-in-self-employment-2721545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">5 Reasons Why Employees Prefer Self-Employment, and Why You Should Use This to Your Advantage</a></li></ul>

Why Is There a Rise in Self-Employment?

1851 Franchise

Self-employment rates are the highest they’ve been since the 2008 recession.


why-is-there-a-rise-in-self-employment

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Why Is There a Rise in Self-Employment?

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS