HR Industry News

Entrepreneurs admit stress is affecting their quality of life

— 11 July 2007 —

Research has revealed that 54% of British entrepreneurs find their work stressful, with 39% claiming that stress is affecting their quality of life.

The survey, carried out by Royal Bank of Scotland Business Banking, highlights the excessive number of hours worked by managers of small/medium enterprises. British bosses work an average of 47 hours per week: those in Yorkshire and Humberside work the longest hours, clocking up 50 hours per week.

“I actually think this is a conservative estimate as there are people who do a day job and then have to face the rigours of actually running a company and thereby routinely exceed 70 hours per week,” comments Paul Avis of Ceridian. “Many SME’s are overburdened by red tape, increasing bureaucracy, record keeping, legislation etc., and this “drip-drip” effect can have a detrimental effect on the health and stress levels of the management of such organisations.”

60% of bosses take less than 20 days holiday per year, and at least 26% check their e-mail once while on holiday.

However, the findings on stress are perhaps the most worrying, despite indications that the more successful companies are those who work the longest hours. Kevin Gillet, head of Bank of Scotland Business Banking, said “To stem the tide of rising stress levels, it is vital that these businesses receive the best possible support and service from their suppliers, professional advisers and from Government, so that they can focus on the core job or running their business.”

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