Over a third of small business owners worry about leaving their business behind when on holiday.

72% of small business owners who go away on holiday are unable to leave work behind when taking time off, an online survey for Intuit has found.

Despite being on holiday, nearly three quarters of small business owners work when they are away, while one in seven indicated that they spend as much time or more time working than relaxing.

Owners worry about business

Over a third of small business owners worry about leaving their business behind when on holiday and 22% feel more stressed during their first day back at work than before they left for their breaks.

The survey found that women feel more anxious about their business than men with 43% of female small business owners saying they worry about taking a break from the business.

In addition, small business owners in the retail and hospitality and leisure sectors worry more than most about leaving their businesses behind when going away (47% and 49% respectively); highlighting the tough economic conditions they face at present.

35 – 44 year olds are more likely to be more stressed when they return from holiday than before they went (29%).

'Work-cations'

As a result of these concerns, small business owners are resorting to 'work-cations' to ensure they can still have a holiday but keep an eye on the business at the same time. Mobile devices are allowing them to do so with half of holidaying small business owners using their laptop for work while 70% take advantage of their mobile phones for work purposes whilst on holiday.

Pernille Bruun-Jensen, managing director, Intuit UK said: "Everybody needs to take time off now and then but our findings show that small business owners never switch off, even when they could really do with switching off. Rather than not taking a break at all, many of them are choosing to take their business away on holiday with them.

"The key is to work as efficiently as possible when on holiday so these entrepreneurs can spend more time nearer the pool than by the laptop. While small business owners feel it necessary to work on holiday, there are ways in which they can keep on top of the business but still make the most of their break."