Self-employed Brits need holidays by Mike Crane, Commercial Director, LV Broker on 17-Oct-2012

Self-employed workers take one week less holiday than their 'employed' counterparts according to new research by small business insurer, LV= Broker. The average number of days holiday that a self-employed worker tends to take is only 20, compared to the average 26 days holiday that 'employed' workers take.

The main reason given is they say they struggle to fit in holidays around their work schedule. A quarter (24%) say their workload is too demanding for them to take a break and job security is a real concern for many, with one in seven (15%) saying they worry about being away from their business in the current economic climate

Even when Brits do go on holiday, work is never far from their minds and those who work for themselves are among those who seem to struggle to switch off the most. One in four (39%) read work e-mails while away and one in three (31%) make work calls or send e-mails compared to just one in ten (10%) 'employed' workers.

It is clear that British workers find it hard to forget about work and relax on holiday. In fact, the research found that the average Brit who goes on holiday needs three-and-a-half days to feel relaxed and unwind - half the length of the average holiday (7.4 days). Workers will not necessarily benefit from not taking the time to switch off from their work as almost a quarter (23% of self-employed) say they feel more productive after a holiday.

Psychologist Dr Glenn Wilson recommends people take regular breaks from work to improve their work output and commented, "There is ample evidence that holidays have a positive effect on mood, well-being and health. However, as these benefits appear to be mostly short-lived and tend to fade within two to three weeks it is best to take a series of short breaks rather than one long, extended holiday."

"Holidaymakers returning to work are healthier, happier and therefore likely to be more productive. A balance needs to be struck with workers who say they are too busy to take a holiday as the strain of not having a break will accumulate over time, leaving them more likely to burn out and be less effective at work."

"In these uncertain economic times its understandable many self-employed people worry about their business whilst they are away," said Mike Crane, Commercial Director of LV= Broker. "Yet a few days off is good for our general wellbeing. With people continuing to worry about work while they are away it is important to have adequate insurance to take away any other holiday worries."

For more information, please visit: www.lvbroker.co.uk

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