National Independent Worker Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

National Independent Worker Day is celebrated on August 16 to recognise freelancers, independent contractors, small business owners, and other individuals who have chosen to work independently. We live in a society where traditional full-time employment is the norm, but the modern workplace is changing and the nature of work is shifting. National recognition of independent employees has been denied for far too long. The contributions of America’s independent employees should be acknowledged because they exemplify the principles and values of our nation’s declaration of independence by demonstrating what it means to be self-reliant.

The background of National Independent Worker Day

The United States recognises and honours millions of independent contractors, freelancers, small business proprietors, and others. The term ‘freelancer’ is widely attributed to Sir Walter Scott in Ivanhoe, published in 1820, to describe a “mediaeval mercenary warrior’ or ‘free-lance’ signifying that the lance is not sworn to any lord’s service; it does not imply that the lance is free. The term first appeared in the 1809 book by Thomas N. Brown titled “The Life and Times of Hugh Miller.” Around the 1860s, ‘freelance’ became a figurative noun, and in 1903, etymological authorities, including the Oxford English Dictionary, recognised it as a verb.

In the United States, the group of independent workers is comprised of individuals of various ages, talent sets, and income levels. Everyone has a strong desire to be independent. This group should not be disregarded or undervalued. The independent workforce is a significant economic entity that contributes trillions of dollars to the U.S. economy. It is a robust, expanding, and changing market segment.

The Association of Independent Workers, iPSE-U.S., instituted the Independent Worker Day in 2019. The I.P.S.E. is a United Kingdom-based non-profit organisation. It was founded in 1999 as the Professional Contractors organisation (P.C.G.) as a protest organisation against the IR35 tax statute and later evolved into a representative group for freelancers in the United Kingdom. In September 2014, the P.C.G altered its name to I.P.S.E. and expanded its membership to include all 4.3 million freelancers and self-employed workers in the United Kingdom.

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Activities on National Independent Worker Day

Help a modest business achieve success.

Small business owners invest time and energy tailoring their products to their customers’ preferences. Use this day to demonstrate your support and encouragement for small businesses.

Publish to social media

If you are a freelancer, self-employed, or independent worker, share your story online. If you are not and know someone who is, inform them today!

Showcase your abilities

Today is for all self-employed individuals, regardless of age, race, or religion. Take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate your talents and do not undersell yourself.

5 Interesting Freelancer Facts

The preponderance (about 70%) of freelancers are women.

Contrary to conventional belief, a survey revealed that freelancers can be found in all career levels, from entry-level positions to those of owner or executive.

In 2018, the self-employed sector contributed $1.28 trillion to the United States economy, constituting a significant economic force.

There are approximately 56 million freelancers in the United States, or roughly 36 percent of the employed population.

Approximately 25% of freelancers also hold full-time employment, indicating that they do not rely solely on their full-time positions for income.

NATIONAL INDEPENDENT WORKER DAY DATES