Bosses in 52% of all small businesses – representing 2.86m firms in the UK – said they only took five days holiday or less during all of last year, with 21% not taking any days off at all.

Aldermore’s SME Future Attitudes report which surveyed over a thousand senior business decision-makers across the UK, found that 35% of SME leaders do any outstanding work while they are away, 33% pass work over to their colleagues and 21% end up cancelling days off to ensure the work is completed.

London bosses are worst offenders with 30% responding to emails and calls regularly while on holiday. Those from the North West seem to be better at switching off, with only 16% answering work messages, and 21% not checking in at all. On a national level, 24% of small business bosses are still very much involved in day-to-day communications during their holidays.

71% like to see their employees use up all of their annual leave. Only one in six SME leaders (17%) do not proactively encourage their staff to take time off.

Carl D’Ammassa, group managing director, business finance at Aldermore, said: “Small business owners are clearly passionate about what they do, so it is no surprise that they find it hard to leave work behind when they are meant to be on holiday. We also know that in this modern day and age it can be a challenge to totally switch off from work as technology has made it so much easier to stay in touch.

“It is however worrying that so many business leaders do not take their annual leave entitlement. Their entrepreneurial spirit and hard work is vital to the success of not only their own business but also the wider UK economy. It is crucial they take proper breaks to achieve a good work life balance and avoid burn out. Enjoying well-earned time off to recharge their batteries could bring a fresh perspective to their business thinking.”