Recession means longer working hours but greener business practice

OWNER/managers are working longer hours than ever before in an effort to beat the recession.

A survey BT Tradespace revealed that half of small business owners are now working more than 60 hours a week with almost one in 10 people clocking up a 100 hour week – the equivalent of a 14 hour working day.

The survey found the most common weekly work time was 50-60 hours a week,
with 21% of people working this amount.

However, the poll also found that SMEs are becoming more efficient, cost aware and environmentally responsible.

Businesses are implementing more home or flexible workiing schemes, or using more business technology such as video or telephone conferencing instead of
asking employees to travel to meetings.

They are also encouraging staff to leave their cars at home.

Recycling is the most popular green initiative, carried out by 25% of small
businesses. Around 17% are reducing energy use, cutting their gas and electricty
bills at a time of rising prices.

The survey for the business social networking site found only 2% of the
UK’s SMEs are doing nothing at all to help the environment.

Mick Hegarty, head of BT Tradespace said: “Those running small and medium
sized enterprises are working hard to compete and that shows the passion,
drive and resiliance they have.

“However, smaller companies can achieve a better work-life balance by
embracing new technology, enabling them to do things quicker, more
efficiently and more flexibly.

“Their size makes them perfect candidates to adapt, innovate and thrive.”

BT Tradespace is an online social and business networking community for
small businesses and their customers.

It was launched in 2007 and now has more than 310, 000 subscribers.