Many of my customers seem to work extremely hard in order to make their business a success. Today, I read a report that suggests that perhaps some of them are working too hard!

A recent study by telecoms firm Unicom asked business owners whether they would be able to take a holiday this summer. 42% of them said that they would not be able to because of work pressures that they are under. Another study showed that UK entrepreneurs work an average of 50 hours per week!

Despite this, I am always amazed by the amount of passion and energy shown by my customers when they talk about their business. While this enthusiasm for their business keeps them going, I do wonder whether it affects their home life or affects the quality of their work.

I don’t think I could work to the same high standard if I worked 50 hour weeks, non-stop all year without a holiday, so I don’t know how small business owners cope with such a heavy workload!

I would be interested to hear what the workloads of people on this site are, from both self-employed business owners as well as employees, and whether you think that 50 hours per week with no holidays is simply too much work!

Martin