Small business owners are too worried about work to enjoy their holidays, finds research.

Small business owners have been too worried about work to enjoy their holidays, finds research.

According to a survey by Fasthosts Internet of 750 small companies, 42 per cent report that they are too occupied by work concerns to relax, with two thirds reporting that their recent holidays have been negatively impacted by their work.

Some 32 per cent regularly perform work-related tasks, such as calls and emails while on holiday, and 18 per cent admit that they have argued with partners or family as a result.  

Particularly in today’s challenging economy, it is clear that taking a vacation can indeed cause business owners to lose money. The data shows that the average business owner estimates that in recent years they have lost £16,754 per year as a direct result of being away from their business on holiday. 

Furthermore, the average owner believes that they lose £3,517 of personal income each time they take their summer vacation.   

Only one third of owners (35 per cent) seek total detachment from their work during a holiday. Older entrepreneurs are in fact the most concerned, with only 23 per cent aged 55+ able to relax in complete isolation from their company. 

The top areas for owners’ concerns are: administration not being fulfilled (26 per cent), customer enquiries not being acknowledged (26 per cent), customer orders being forgotten (23 per cent), materials and files being mislaid (19 per cent), communication with customers and suppliers breaking down (19 per cent), and payments not being taken (13 per cent).  

Claire Lewis, marketing director at Fasthosts Internet comments, 'It’s no wonder that company owners feel so torn between their business and personal lives at this time of the year.  Interestingly, many of the work areas that SME owners are most concerned about neglecting can be better tackled with technology currently available. 

'Owners are able to react swiftly to critical issues via a mobile device, accessing email, files and tools to maintain areas of business operations, allowing them to relax and enjoy time with their family.'

See also: Coaching for SME directors