Member Article

Aspiring entrepreneurs wooed by flexible working

Nine out of ten aspiring entrepreneurs would like to set up their own business to achieve a better work/life balance, according to a new survey. A further 63% said they would like to become self-employed because of irritations with their day-to-day routine, the survey by Lloyds TSB reported.

The study revealed that two thirds of owner-managers are taking advantage of their independence and adopting flexible working practices, and 46% work from home. Flexible working practices are also more likely to be adopted by smaller firms, according to the study. Nearly three quarters of owner-managers from firms with less than ten employees adopt flexible working, compared to only half of those from firms with 20-49 employees.

Stephen Pegge, head of communications at Lloyds TSB Business, said: “Running your own company can be extremely demanding, but being your own boss has many perks including the ability to manage your own time. “Clearly many entrepreneurs are living the dream and escaping the 9-5 routine. “It is also great to see that owner-managers are really taking the lead on flexible working practices and with further changes to the Work and Family Act set to come into force in April, it is even more important businesses consider equipping employees to work flexibly.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .