People in Bristol are being put off freelancing because of concerns around not being paid regularly, according to recruitment experts.
Firm ETZ Payments says many flexible and freelance workers in and around Bristol are being forced to take out loans because of late payments.
And many are unable to afford significant payments such as weddings, holidays and home improvements.
As a result, 21 per cent of those in Bristol work between two to five jobs at one time to pay their bills, according to ETZ.
Traditionally perceived as an arena for low-skilled workers such as couriers, delivery drivers and taxi drivers, ETZ says there is a perception freelance work has spiked as a result of an "app economy" employing millions across the nation. However, research from ETZ shows this is a misconception.
Statistics show 16 per cent of freelance Bristolians regularly miss bill payments due to not being paid on time.
And 17 per cent of freelancers in Bristol have had to turn to payday lenders or short-term finance solutions due to unstable payments from their freelance work and many are unable to afford significant payments such as weddings, holidays and home improvements.
As a result, 21 per cent of those in Bristol work between two to five jobs at one time to pay their bills.
Nick Woodward, CEO of ETZ Payments commented on the research: “It should be a norm that in today’s workplace, with modern technology, that freelance workers should be able to complete a job and be paid for it on either the same or next day.
“Millions of workers are being held back in life because their employers are not paying them properly or on time. This has to change to help people have a more productive and happier work life balance and to support the British economy.”
