The research revealed that 34 per cent of small-business owners in Australia take less than four weeks of leave each year and even when they do take a break, eight out of 10 (77 per cent) will be thinking about their business.
In its survey, OnDeck asked small-business owners what would support them to take more leave and most agreed that additional funding would allow them to take a break more often.
The results highlighted the real risk of burnout across Australia’s small-business community, with fewer than half (43 per cent) taking at least four weeks’ leave annually.
OnDeck’s survey confirmed that when small-business owners do take a leave, many find it hard to decouple from the business with one in five checking in with the business regularly while on leave.
Jerry Yohananov, CFO OnDeck Australia, said the research confirmed that employees tend to be more productive after taking annual leave and are less likely to require sick leave and many employers actively encourage their staff to use their leave entitlements.
“Yet small business owners are not allowing themselves the same break from the businesses that their employees benefit from,” he said.
Small-business owners surveyed by OnDeck agree that additional business funding would provide the means to take a holiday, for a variety of reasons including:
- Sixty-six per cent — Feeling confident the business has funding in place to handle any unforeseen costs during the owner’s absence
- Thirty-one per cent — Paying for additional or temporary staff
- Twenty per cent — Paying an interim manager to step into the owner’s role
- Seven per cent — Other
