• 22 March 2023
• Naida Allen at pirkx
• 7 minutes read

Freelancers you could get work perks - read this

Why do freelancers need remote work benefits?

What if you had work perks as a freelancer working anywhere in the world? Now that would be nifty. Access to counselling or business courses, finance advice and discounted gym passes... how dreamy. Oh, wait – you can! And it's aptly named "pirkx".

Why do freelancers need remote work benefits?

Over 4.8 million Brits are self-employed today. Freelancers are essential in the workforce, comprising jobs from copywriting to consulting.

The biggest pro of freelancing is the ability to work anywhere at any time (as long as you have wi-fi). Granted, you get a few “employee benefits” in the corporate world. One of the downsides of freelancing is that you lose access to that.

Working for yourself is like a fairytale dream. Yet your “regular working day” can be more sporadic than a traditional 9-5. You don’t get paid holidays – that comes out of your pocket. Work socials? Also not a thing. Discounts to gyms? Think again.

That’s why having an exclusive app for the self-employed worker is high-key essential. The hard knock life of a freelancer Freelancing is not all rainbows. Here’s the challenge: you’re trying to juggle work, a social life, and make time for exercise. More often than not, you wind up crunched at the desk for 3 hours straight. Even when you shut that laptop down, it’s hard to switch off.

Many of us self-employed crew struggle with burnout, lack of time and money management – and we don't get support from a boss. Because, well, we are the boss.

Sound like you?

Exercise likely becomes the first sacrifice that can lead to overworking. Truth is, our productivity and mental wellbeing improves with exercise. In fact, workday exercise improves time management and efficiency by a whopping 72%. In contrast, sitting more and moving less harms workday productivity.

So, how can we prioritise exercise without paying an arm and a leg? All will be revealed… What about digital nomads?

Don’t think we’ve forgotten about you! The rise of digital nomads is not limited to the stereotypical Gen Z. Statistica reports that 35% of the “everywhere worker” sit in the 40-59 age bracket.

But when you’re travelling the world or uprooting your life in monthly stints, finding a gym can be somewhat unnerving. Where do you go? How much do you pay? Should you pack dumbbells? (The idea is to pack light… so carrying 2kg dumbbells might not fly.)

If you’re country-hopping, you’ll need the correct currency to work in those aesthetic cafes. Wouldn’t it be nice to have commission-free travel money? (That’s rhetorical.)

Where do work perks come in?

Of course, you might not want to pay £30 a month for a gym membership. Especially with the cost of living crisis adding to work stress. But from £4.50 a month, you access hundreds of virtual workouts and discounts to gyms across the country.

And guess what? You can use pirkx from anywhere in the world.

Whether a freelancer or digital nomad, you can hop on a virtual class with the Fitness Blender team. (This definitely comes in handy in hostel rooms.) You need minimal equipment as most are body weight. You could get inventive and use filled water bottles as weights. Or do the virtual workouts as a guided workout in the gym.

Be warned: the HIIT classes are sweaty. What’s the catch?

There’s no catch. We know what it’s like to scrimp and save when freelancing. You worry if an invoice will be paid on time. You avoid eating out to look after your pennies. You skip your lunchtime walk to “just send one more email”. Investing in “work perks” seems like a luxury.

But keep perspective. A Netflix account costs £6.99 for one person. Sure, we all like to wind down to the latest episode of our favourite series. However, that might not be the most optimal way for you to relax or be productive.

You’re investing in your long-term health and wellbeing for a fraction of that price, and the scarcity mindset sucks that away. FYI this includes a mental health boot camp and counselling services.

Signing up for work perks teaches you to have an abundance mindset. This is the ultimate level of self-care we can show ourselves. Prioritising this improves your mindset to work and thrive, not simply survive. Key Takeaways Freelancers and digital nomads make up almost 50% of the UK workforce. Without sufficient remote work benefits, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and burnt out. Investing in work perks improves mindset, productivity and efficiency (like accessing company benefits).

Psst, remember that you’re the boss. pirkx is your choice – you won't regret it. Need a hand? Drop us a message and we’ll be in touch.

• Naida Allen
• Guest Blogger