Work never really stops for many small business owners, according to the September 2015 SurePayroll Small Business Scorecard optimism survey.
Almost half (48%) say they cannot take a lunch break on a daily basis where they disconnect from work. Many said they eat quickly at their desks, in their cars or not at all. Last year, only 35% said they were unable to take a daily lunch.
“I work through the day, eat a small packet of nuts and dried cranberries around noon,” said one business owner in response to the survey. Another said “lunch hour is a fantasy…business doesn’t stop…neither can I.”
For the other half that are able to take a daily lunch many said it was crucial to rejuvenate and clear their heads to be more productive later in the day.
“As I suggest to my employees, I take my lunch and make it all about me,” one business owner said. “No phone, no email. Just me.”
When speaking more broadly about working outside of normal business hours, only 15% said that once they leave work, they are done for the day. Nearly a third (28%) said they are working almost all of the time, and 57% said they work on nights and weekends but only occasionally.
Overwhelmingly, though, small businesses owners said they are happy with the mix of added freedom and added responsibility they have – 92% are satisfied with the combination.
“The thing that seems to tie entrepreneurs together is that they like the control they have over their business, whether that means working around the clock, or cutting themselves off after a certain number of hours,” said SurePayroll General Manager Andy Roe. “Many of us keep an eye on work all the time through our smartphones and that makes it harder to disconnect. So if you want to take a relaxing lunch break, you really have to make a point of it. Still, some people thrive on the ability to always know what’s going on. You sort of have to be the CEO of your life and your business, and make sure the balance is right for you.”
