Study finds lack of happiness among SME workers

Many employees of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are less happy in their roles than they used to be.

This is the conclusion of a study conducted by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, which revealed that 37 per cent of such people surveyed reported they did not take as much pleasure from their roles as was previously the case.

Meanwhile, 44 per cent admitted to taking fewer days off than they were entitled to, while 77 per cent of SME workers stated they keep in touch with the office while they are on holiday.

"Business owners should try to ensure that their staff take full advantage of their annual leave entitlement. This could lead to a happier, more productive workforce who will, in turn, be more productive," stated Mike Williams, general manager of business banking at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks.

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A study released last month by Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank revealed that the owners of small firms in the UK are struggling to achieve a work-life balance, with 22 per cent saying they work late into the night, spending 50 hours more at the desks each week.