Small business owners are working longer hours than doctors new research shows

SMALL business owners are working harder than ever, with new research showing a quarter work seven days and more than 50 hours a week across the country.

SMALL business owners are working harder than ever, new research showing a quarter are working seven days and more than 50 hours a week across the country.

Aussie owners are working longer hours than doctors, with 16 per cent working more than 60 hours a week, a survey by online small business lender Prospa shows.

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Industries found to work the longest hours include transport, agriculture, mining and financial services, with the hair and beauty industry working the longest over the Christmas and New Year period.

Husband and wife team Suzie and Mario Angelovski both work seven days and 70 hours a week running Cafe 21 in Templestowe Lower. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Other industries such as retail and hospitality are also not far behind.

Husband and wife team Mario and Suzie Angelovski both work seven days and a whopping 70 hours a week running Cafe 21 in Templestowe Lower.

The cafe owners said the time they spend preparing, cooking and managing the business is immense and can be very exhausting.

“It’s hard work and the type of industry where you are constantly on your feet, the work is both mental and physical,” Mrs Angelovski said.

More than one third of small business owners will not be taking time off this summer, while another one in three owners are forced to shut down due to customers being away.

Greg Moshal, joint CEO of Prospa, said expectations of small businesses tend to rise over the holidays and while many Aussies sit back and relax, it is the busiest time of year for others.

“We have a world of customers that are more and more demanding,” he said.

“I think a lot of the time small businesses aren’t getting the recognition on how much they actually work.”