Despite being on holiday, nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of small business owners work when they are away while one in seven (14 per cent) indicate that they spend as much time or more time working than relaxing.

More than a third (35 per cent) of small business owners worry about leaving their business behind when on holiday and 22 per cent feel more stressed during their first day back at work than before they left for their breaks.

The survey also finds that women feel more anxious about their business than men with 43 per cent 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 per cent and 49 per cent respectively), highlighting the tough economic conditions they face at present.

The 35 – 44 year old age group is more likely to be more stressed when they return from holiday than before they went (29 per cent).

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.

Intuit UK managing director Pernille Bruun-Jensen Intuit UK says, ‘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.’