Many small business owners in the UK face a harsh reality: they are overworked, financially strapped and unable to take the much-needed holidays. They may even be on the verge of burnout. InsureandGo’s new research shows that a large portion of UK small business owners miss out on vacations to run their businesses. This highlights the difficulties of maintaining a work-life balance.
InsureandGo’s new research examined whether business owners could take care of their health and well-being by taking a family holiday or going abroad.
InsureandGo’s data revealed that 35 percent of entrepreneurs had not been able take a two-week vacation due to financial and operational constraints. Many people consider a short getaway a luxury. Small business owners admit that 18% have not taken a holiday abroad in years. Nearly one-fourth (24%) choose shorter trips, such as a weekend getaway or quick city trip, to minimize time away from the office.
Some business owners feel they have to be available at all times, so 15% choose to go on holiday in the UK to ensure they can quickly return to their jobs if necessary. Unbelievable, 7% of business owners don’t even take a holiday. They send their families on vacation while they stay at home to supervise business operations.
Top reasons why entrepreneurs are unable to take a break from their work.
- 43%say that they cannot afford to take two weeks off.
- 24%admit that they would not be able fully to switch off because they expect to be contacted by work about issues.
- 22%feel more stressed when they’re away from their businesses than when they’re working.
- 21%worry over the possibility of being ill or injured for a prolonged period.
- 14%believe that their business cannot be managed by anyone else in their absence.
Garry Nelson is the Head of Corporate Affairs for InsureandGo. He commented: Small business owners are at the heart of the UK’s economy. But they are also parents and partners, just like everyone else. It is a great concern that the pressures of business are preventing them to enjoy holidays with their family.
Our research shows that many small business owners are running on empty and sacrificing their well-being to the benefit of their businesses. This is not sustainable. It’s not only important for your well-being to take time off work, but also for the long-term success of your business.
InsureandGo understands the importance of a stress-free vacation to help manage a healthy balance between work and life. We work hard to ensure that customers can get the right coverage so they are confident to travel abroad, knowing they will be protected.
To discover more about InsureandGo visit: InsureandGo.com
The article Running on Empty: One in three small business owners can’t take a proper break appeared first on Human Resources News.
