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Every year, The Big Freelancer Survey aims to provide a detailed analysis of the past 12 months. With the mixed-methods survey that 1156 freelancers took part in this year, the data that is gathered from the survey feeds into ongoing negotiations between industry workers and the governing bodies. This informs everyone where support feels needed and what the greatest issues facing the performing arts industry are. The survey of 2023 reveals a massive ongoing gender pay gap, and much of the freelance workforce feeling “undervalued, underpaid and under- appreciated.”
It is no secret, even to those outside the industry, that funding has been severely cut in the last year. This has led to many leaving the industry altogether leading to skills shortage throughout the industry as a whole. For those who remain, this means the work is often intensified with little to no pay increase to compensate for this. The survey that was conducted earlier this year has data that shows freelancers within the industry earn 17.5% less than the UK national average salary, minorities earn 17.9% less than their white colleagues, and those who are living with medical conditions/caring responsibilities earn less than industry average.
The survey has noted that the majority of freelancers within the industry feel they are living “hand-to-mouth” with the constant expectation on them to take on unsafe work conditions and longer hours for below minimum wage, or free. Those who are in technical roles are experiencing this heavy burden as 64.6% said they felt pressure to do more work for the same or less pay. Companies employing freelancers are attempting to accomplish the same work for less money which has led to those still working within the industry to either accept lower rates, risk the companies seeking someone inexperienced who will take the job for less, or continue to demand fair pay with the added risk of losing business and continuing to live “hand-to-mouth.”
Another strike in the industry was between the income of male-identifying and female-identifying theatre freelancers, a massive 37.4% difference. Some possible factors in the existence of this pay gap were that more male respondents earned 100% of their income from freelance work. Males who earned all of their earnings from freelance work within the industry were 55.4% while only 49.4% of females in the industry made all of their earnings from freelance. While this pay gap is evident, the survey reported “it endures through various methods and can only be partially explained by differences in the amount of overall work done by male and female respondents.”
Those who participated in the survey concluded that certain actions need to be taken. Some of these actions include:
“The introduction and enforcement of fair rates of pay that tackle the disparity between freelance wages and salaried staff in organisations. It is recommended that all projects pay at least the union rate, and that this rate should be treated as a minimum rather than an industry standard. Actual rates of pay need to reflect the skills, knowledge and expertise of those hired, and to be
realistic about the number of hours each project involves. Adequate remuneration should be offered for travel and accommodation, and to those working 40+ hours per week.
Better systems for recognising the value of the freelancer voice, and for holding organisations accountable. These could include a more organised unionisation of the creative freelance workforce across art forms and sectors, freelancer presence on organisation management committees and boards, and new systems for reporting discrimination in the workplace.”
Also by Drew Janine:
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive in her work. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020, and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending some time on tour. Drew's favorite by far though, has been the chance to work on Broadways and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry.
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