More than two thirds of small business bosses don't feel comfortable enough with the economy to switch off and take a holiday without keeping in regular touch with staff, claims new survey.

Despite government claims that the economy is showing signs of improvement 63 per cent of business owners and managers will not take their usual two holiday this year for fear of being out-of-touch to respond to emergencies. Instead many will only take a week or less and even then 60 per cent intend to stay in daily touch with staff and 17 per cent will be on 24 hour call.

"Small company owners and managers are fiercely protective of their businesses and with the current economic climate don't feel comfortable being out of touch with what is going on in the office, even if they are supposed to be on holiday," said Clodagh Murphy, director of Eclipse Internet which carried out the survey.

“Luckily, the proliferation of mobile devices and remote email connection means that managers can stay in touch easily and try to make the most of their break with as few interruptions as possible.”

Since the recession started owners of small and medium-sized enterprises are estimated to have had less than 10 days off a year on average with about 20 per cent of owner/managers taking no holidays at all.

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Small businesses are the most vulnerable during tough economic times and while things may be starting to improve it's going to take a long time before the majority of owners have the confidence to take a break.

One of the problems is that small firms have limited staff so owners are usually hands-on all the time and they don't get used to delegating responsibility.

If more owners learned to let go their grip a little and treat key staff as members of a team rather than employees to be told what to do they would be surprised just how more effective their business can be.

The true definition of a business is a commercial enterprise that can operate if the owner isn't there. It can take time, but with proper management and team building exercises it is possible to create a culture where it shouldn't matter if the boss has a few days off.