Small business owners content to work excessive hours yet health and productivity could be at risk
The majority of small business owners (68%) exceed the standard 35 hour week with 25% of entrepreneurs working 51 hour weeks or more and a further 3% clocking up to 80 hour weeks, according to research from AXA business insurance.
Yet despite the majority of businesses working over the recommended European working time directive (45 hours), and therefore risking the negative effects linked with overwork, the majority of the entrepreneurs surveyed said job satisfaction makes it worth it.
The research found that despite the long hours and hard work involved in running their business, the majority of small business entrepreneurs love what they do and prefer the excessive workload to the prospect of working for someone else.
However, according to AXA’s report, productivity declines after a 50 hour week and longer hours can increase health and safety risks – meaning small businesses may be jeopardising their own well-being and their firm’s performance.
Managing director at AXA Business Insurance, Darrell Sansom, commented on the research:
“Running your own successful business can be a real labour of love so it’s no great surprise that most small business owners work beyond the standard 35 hour week and are happy to do so. Of course hard work is to be applauded, but burnout is bad for business.
“No one is invincible, and if you are regularly struggling to fit everything into your day, it might be time to take a step back, reflect and re-prioritise the key things that will protect your business and help it grow.”
For more information and tips for running a business and managing your workload, have a look at our sister site’s managing growth section here.
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