Not much of a holiday

RECRUITMENT consultant Georgie Carpenter has been on leave for more than a week.
But in that time she has sent countless work-related emails, met clients, hired new staff and worked on rebranding her business.

"My clients all know I am supposed to be closed between December 18 and January 4 but if they need me they know I am available," she said.

"If I was a massive business I would probably be able to say no or delegate."

Ms Carpenter is among a growing number of small business owners who can't switch off.

Instead of taking a rest after a tumultuous year, they are taking their workload with them to the beach.

A new survey of business owners has shown that nearly three-quarters say, along with packing their sunscreen, hat and bathers, they'll be taking the Blackberry just in case work beckons.

"We have only been around for a couple of years and we are small so I have to give my staff some time off," Ms Carpenter said.

"They don't own the business so they need a break."

The owner of Georgie Carpenter Pty Ltd, she said the nature of her business meant that she was dealing with people and their work which is an integral part of their lives.

"I have to be available," she said.

The survey of 114 company owners, commissioned by Serviced Offices International, said that while 74.6 per cent were officially on leave over Christmas and the New Year break, nearly all of them will keep working.

They might not be physically in the office but 96 per cent of business owners said they will still check work emails.

Nearly 60 per cent said they would continue working on business tasks that had deadlines. A similar number said they would use the time to sort out administration.

And a third said they would even organise meetings for New Year's Eve.

The business owners who said they would not be taking any leave said they would use the time to plan for the coming year.

Serviced Offices International managing director Michelle Mills said small operators had little option but to soldier on during the holiday season.

"Unlike bigger businesses, smaller operators don't have the luxury of employed holiday staff taking business calls and sorting out their New Year diaries," she said.

"These owners are often the only business contact, so when they're on break, so is the business."

Ms Mills said while business slowed at this time of year, missed calls could be a big deal for some businesses.

Ms Carpenter is also working away at Kiddyrock, of which she is a part-owner.

The business organises rock'n'roll jam sessions for toddlers.

She said that at the beginning of the year the recruitment business was slow but she had been working on packages to make it more attractive to clients.

"The most relaxing time I have had has been able to go to the gym in the morning, as I usually do, but I have the luxury of staying a bit longer," she said.

"I am not having sleep-ins."

Original content from:  http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/not-much-of-a-holiday/story-e6frfh4f-1225814577643