A new study suggests that small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) decision makers are finding it increasingly hard to ‘switch off’ – with more than half of UK small business bosses taking less than six days’ holiday a year.
According to research carried out by Aldermore Bank, 52 per cent of small business bosses took five or fewer days of annual leave last year, while one in five took off no time whatsoever.
Meanwhile, even those who did allow themselves a break from the business found it difficult to ‘switch off’ while they were on holiday, the report reveals.
35 per cent of respondents told the bank’s SME Future Attitudes survey that they had taken outstanding work away on holiday with them, while 24 per cent admitted that they answered multiple emails and telephone calls while they were ‘on holiday’.
A further one in five admitted that they had cancelled days off last minute in order to ensure that a project was completed or a deadline was met.
The study suggests that British entrepreneurs are ferociously dedicated to business success and growth.
However, it also indicates that some business leaders might be working just a little too hard.
Earlier this year, a YouGov poll revealed that the average SME owner or manager spends more than four hours a week completing administrative tasks such as accounting, budgeting, expenses and forecasting – all of which can be outsourced to external professionals.