Health

New entrepreneurs struggle to strike balance between work and life

New research from Lloyds Bank has shownthat one in three new business owners havent taken a holiday in over two years, with over a third without a future holiday planned.

The study also found that small business owners are working an extra 20 hours each week more than the national average for employees.

Jo Harris, managing director of Lloyds Bank Retail Business Banking, said: Many entrepreneurs make the leap into business ownership full of promise for more control and flexibility getting away from a nine-to-five desk existence. Being your own boss delivers countless benefits, but the responsibility that comes with it can make it harder to switch off and go on holiday.

The research suggested that even when business owners do take time off, they rarely fully disconnect from their business.

Modern technology has contributed to an always on? culture, and 34 per cent of new business owners claimed to be in daily communication with their clients or colleagues whilst on holiday.

Eight out of every ten startup owners were found to interrupt their holiday at some point to address work issues, and 34 per cent of new business owners claimed to be in daily communication with their clients or colleagues while on holiday.

Britain’s entrepreneurs are already operating outside of the traditional public holiday structure. Research from Yell Business last year showed that micro businesses lost an average of 158 for each bank holiday that trading ceased on, and many consider this cost as too detrimental to profits.