Small business owners work hardest

Tue 19 Aug 2008 at 2:16 PM

Owners of small businesses are among the hardest working in the UK a survey has shown.

The Bank of Scotland's Business Banking group studied 1,003 smaller firms and revealed their owners were working 50 hours per week.

"Owning and running a small business is an extremely time-consuming but ultimately very rewarding experience," commented head of strategy and products Peter Wood.

"Given that the stakes are so high, it comes as no surprise that Britain's entrepreneurs are burning the midnight oil to try and make a success of their business."

Their workload has increased by three hours in the last 12 months and more than a quarter believe it will rise further still.

The study also found their hard work was affecting stress levels – seven in ten small business owners said they felt pressured, up from 54 per cent this time last year.

Workers can be asked to waiver their right to work a set maximum number of hours - usually to accommodate shift patterns – otherwise the government's recommended maximum is 48 per week.