Nearly one million small business owners take no days off each year, Tide finds
Tide’s Business Benchmark Index 2026 found that 17% of founders did not take any full days off in a year, rising to 21% among sole traders.
UK small business owners take an average of 15 full days off a year, well below the statutory minimum of 28 days for employees, according to data from Tide.
Tide’s Business Benchmark Index 2026 found that 17% of founders did not take any full days off in a year, rising to 21% among sole traders.
This equated to around 969,000 business owners not taking a single day off.
Owners aged 25-34 took the lowest amount of annual leave, averaging 12 days.
The research surveyed 500 small business owners on time taken off with no calls, emails or admin.
More than half, 56%, took 10 days or fewer.
The average business owner worked more than 10 hours a day, starting work at 7:52 am and finishing at 6:04 pm.
Nearly a third, 29%, worked more than 48 hours per week, which exceeded the legal maximum for employees.
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