Dilemma - Stay Self employed? or Get a job!!!

[suzi-q]

Hi, I am a freelance self employed bookkeeper with lots of experience with small business. I have about 10-15 small companies whom I look after the accounts, VAT payroll etc for.

I am self employed in partnership with a friend and therefore do not get paid holidays or sick pay or for that matter a pension or health insurance.

I do have the perk of working hours to suit and responsibility for my own work.

However I have recently seen jobs advertised that I could do and the pay is higher than I am earning, and would have the advantage of 4 weeks paid holiday and other benefits.

Maybe I am feeling blue because I want a holiday and feel I cant afford the time off but it seems like a good idea. I dread telling my business partner (who is on holiday this week) but I'm really fed up at the moment.

Has anyone else been in this position and what did you do?

[Lil O'lady]

I was self employed for about two years, a decade ago - I found it much easier to let someone pay me and do all the paperwork. Provided you get the right employer. And you have the assurance knowing you did it once so you can always go back and be self employed again in the future.

[Eve]

With a possible recession looming then job security may give you some additional rights than being self employed unless you work out cheaper than employees.

Difficult though as until you've been there a year you don't really have many rights.