THE HOLIDAY GAP: WHY BRITAIN’S ENTREPRENEURS ARE STRUGGLING TO SWITCH OFF
UK ENTREPRENEURS TAKE JUST 15 DAYS OFF A YEAR AS FOUNDER BURNOUT RISES
Britain’s entrepreneurs are sacrificing holidays, working longer hours and struggling to switch off, with new research suggesting that founder wellbeing is emerging as one of the biggest challenges facing the UK’s small business community.
Running a business may promise independence and flexibility, but for many entrepreneurs the reality is very different.
New research from Tide, published as part of its Business Benchmark Index 2026, reveals that the average UK small business owner takes just 15 completely work-free days off each year—almost half the 28-day statutory holiday entitlement enjoyed by employees.
Even more concerning, one in six founders (17%) say they do not take a single full day off during an entire year, with the figure rising to 21% among sole traders. Tide estimates this equates to almost one million UK business owners who never fully disconnect from work.
Founders Are Working Longer Than Ever
The research highlights the intensity of modern entrepreneurship, with the average business owner beginning work at 7:52am and finishing at 6:04pm—a working day exceeding ten hours.
Nearly three in ten (29%) work more than 48 hours each week, exceeding the legal maximum working week applied to employees under UK Working Time Regulations.
The youngest generation of entrepreneurs appear to be under the greatest pressure. Founders aged between 25 and 34 take an average of just 12 days’ holiday annually, while more than half of all business owners (56%) take ten days or fewer.
The findings suggest many entrepreneurs struggle to step away because their businesses remain heavily dependent on them.
Building A Business That Can Function Without You
For Michael Jurek, Co-Founder of professional pickleball franchise North London Storm and a Tide customer, taking time away from the business was once almost impossible.
Michael Jurek said: “For a long time, I felt unable to switch off. Part of that came from a belief that nobody else could fully step into my role because of the specific knowledge and context I held. It felt easier to remain available at all times, even when I was supposed to be on holiday.”
He believes many founders unintentionally create businesses that rely too heavily on them personally.
“The biggest shift now has been reducing the amount of information and responsibility that sits exclusively with me. I’ve also embraced technology and AI tools to help standardise certain workflows and reduce dependency on any one person.
“Ironically, the business has become more resilient as a result.”
Technology Can Help Reduce Founder Burnout
Tide argues that smarter systems and automation can help entrepreneurs reclaim valuable time by reducing routine administration, financial management and repetitive tasks.
George Schmidt, CEO UK and Europe at Tide, said: “Many founders start a business to create more freedom and flexibility, yet the reality is that too many end up feeling unable to properly switch off. Nobody should feel they have to choose between their business and their wellbeing. Tide exists to make running a business simpler, helping owners cut down on admin and reclaim valuable time.”
The company recommends founders automate routine administration wherever possible, establish clear working boundaries, schedule regular recovery time throughout the year and build operational systems that allow others to make decisions without constant oversight.
As artificial intelligence and automation become increasingly accessible to SMEs, the research suggests the businesses best positioned for long-term growth may ultimately be those that are designed to operate successfully—even when the founder is taking a well-earned break.
