No time to take a holiday

By Pam McClounie

Last updated 13:45, Wednesday, 20 August 2008

ONE in five small business owners in the north west don’t have the time to take a single day’s holiday during an entire working year,

All work and no play: Only one in seven small business owners take 20 or more days off in a year

The research, from Lloyds TSB Business Insurance, also found that 16 per cent take just one to five days, and 19 per cent take only six to 10 days holiday a year. Only one in seven small business owners taking 20 or more days holiday a year.

Of those that do go on holiday, many do not manage to completely switch off from work, with two-thirds taking a work-related item on holiday with them.

Sixty-two per cent of small business owners take a business mobile with them, while 19 per cent take a laptop to check work emails. 11 per cent take part in conference calls and meetings while on holiday, and 17 per cent go as far as to cut short their holiday in order to deal with a work-related issue.

Small business owners with three or more employees were found to be more likely to say they can rarely or never switch off and forget about work when on holiday.

Ironically, while freedom, flexibility and control over the hours you work were cited as the main advantages of setting up your own business, respondents stated a lack of time available to go on holiday as one of the main drawbacks. The survey also found the likelihood of cutting trips short due to business-related issues cropping up increases as the average number of hours worked in a typical week and turnover increases.

Anne Marie Koukourava, partnership director for Lloyds TSB Business Insurance, said: “It seems that many small business owners cannot find the time to get away from the pressures of work to take a break and even those that do can’t manage to completely switch off.

“With technology as advanced as it is today, it becomes easier for small business owners to use items like PDAs and laptops, as well as utilising video conference technology to allow them to link up with work while away,” she added.

“With so many aspects to worry about while on holiday, it’s important that small business owners make sure their business is fully insured to cover against any risks while they are away – at least that would be one less thing to worry about.”