Scots who run their own business and work for themselves are happier than those who are employed by others, but they work for longer hours and receive lower pay.

According to UK-wide research carried out by Durham University, self-employed male Britons attributed facing a greater uncertainty about their future livelihoods, so worked harder as a result.
Professor Simon Parker, who conducted the survey, said: "An even stronger trend we noticed was that self-employed people don't like to give up work, and relatively high levels of income, when they reach normal retirement age. The attitude seems to be "why stop while there's a good thing going?" - a very understandable sentiment."

The research also found that gender, health and family circumstances appear to have little bearing on entrepreneurs' retirement decisions.

The Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland (FSB) report 'Barriers to Growth' Ð the biggest non-governmental survey of UK businesses Ð backs up the Durham University findings, not just in men, but in entrepreneurs in general.

The FSB report shows that the vast majority of Scottish entrepreneurs work more hours than they would if they werenÕt business owners.

Twenty-eight per cent work between 41-50 hours per week, 27% work between 51-60 hours per week and 26% work in excess of 60 hours a week.

Andrew Watson, Deputy Head of Press and Parliamentary Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland, said: "One significant factor which might explain why small business owners spend so much time working in their business is the amount of regulations that they have to enforce and legislation they have to comply with.

"Half of our members were dissatisfied with the complexity, volume, and rate of change."
The Barriers to Growth report also highlighted the fact that small business-owners felt they would be earning less than if they were not business owners, with 39% saying their financial standing is worse and only 35% saying it is better. Despite lower earnings and the longer hours, 45% feel their quality of life is better. Only 32% said their quality of life is worse.

Andrew added: "This proves that, despite what some people may think, small-business owners work long hours for less financial returns than they could expect as employees, but they do value the responsibility and freedom of running their own business. That's why the FSB in Scotland fights on behalf of our members and campaigns for a better business environment for SMEs."

Contact:
www.fsb.org.uk