Study: One in four workers freelance

40 under 40 honoree Amanda Corbett Beaver sits at a desk prior to being honored last year. Nearly 25 percent of workers choose to do some kind of freelance work at their own desk, according to a recent survey.

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By Sam Bonacci

A new survey has found that approximately one in four American workers freelances in some capacity, largely because they like the flexibility and financial benefits that come with it.

The Staples Advantage Workplace Index, compiled by the business-to-business division of the Framingham-based company, found that 12 percent of employees work as freelancers as their primary source of income, and the same percentage freelance in addition to their primary job. But while contracted workers are nothing new for businesses, Neil Ringel, executive vice president for Staples Advantage, said that businesses must be aware of the needs and expectations of freelance workers as related to their reasons for freelancing.

Freelancers cited the ability to make more money (39 percent), flexibility to make their own hours (37 percent) and achieving a work-life balance (32 percent) as their reasons for freelancing. Businesses can benefit by tapping into these workers for special projects, according to Staples, and advancing technology has made it easier to integrate these workers into the full-time workforce.