A significant proportion of the UK’s self-employed workforce expects to work through the Christmas period, as long hours, financial pressure and difficulty switching off continue to blur the boundary between work and rest.
New research from insurer Markel Direct, based on a survey of 1,000 small business owners and sole traders, suggests that overworking has become normalised for many who work for themselves. More than half of respondents said they regularly work beyond their standard hours, while four in ten felt they needed to remain reachable outside normal working time. For one in ten, that expectation was described as constant.
The impact on time off is clear. One in six respondents said they had not taken a full week away from their business for more than a year, or since becoming self-employed. Four in ten reported having previously cancelled or cut short a holiday because of work commitments, raising concerns that the Christmas break, traditionally a chance to rest and reset, may be increasingly out of reach.
The findings point to rising levels of burnout among the self-employed. Around four in ten said they had experienced burnout while running their business, and more than a third had considered giving it up altogether due to stress and exhaustion. Financial insecurity appears to be a major factor, with a third of respondents saying they do not feel financially secure in self-employment. Almost a quarter said they do not expect to still be running their business in five years’ time.
Dr Katie Barge, a chartered psychologist, said the pressures faced by sole traders are often cumulative. Persistent responsibility, uncertain income and poorly defined working hours can create sustained mental and emotional strain, increasing the risk of exhaustion and disengagement. She noted that common warning signs include chronic fatigue, irritability, disrupted sleep and difficulty switching off from work.
Despite these challenges, the survey also suggests strong attachment to self-employment. Three quarters of respondents said they enjoy being their own boss, while around seven in ten described self-employment as more rewarding and flexible than traditional employment. More than half reported having a healthy work-life balance, and a similar proportion said their mental health was better working for themselves.
Rob Rees, divisional director at Markel Direct, said the findings underline the need for self-employed workers to reassess how they work. He argued that burnout should be seen less as a personal failing and more as a signal that workloads, boundaries and recovery time need to be addressed, both for individual wellbeing and long-term business sustainability.
