Long hours, no vacations - you're not alone

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Many small business managers work during their time off and some even admit to reading work-related e-mails while in the bathroom, according to a survey released Monday.

Overall, those surveyed reported long hours, less vacation and an ever-blurring line separating work from time off, according to survey developed by Staples Inc (Charts).

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What's the right work-life balance strategy for you? 1. Which of the following statements best describes you? I'm comfortable having others do home and yard chores for me. I prefer to do things myself.

For most of the managers surveyed, the standard 40-hour workweek did not apply. In fact, about 20 percent work a double week, logging an extra 40 or more hours.

"Time is a critical resource for companies of all sizes, but it's of even greater importance to small business managers, who possess a larger stake in their company's success and often lack the support infrastructure of bigger businesses," John Giusti, vice president of Staples Business Delivery, a division of Staples that delivers to small businesses, said in a statement.

Respondents blamed their heavy workloads on business growth, added responsibility and "trying to keep up."

One in five managers said they do work while eating dinner at least four or five times a week.

More than one-third of those surveyed could not remember their last vacation. Of those who did take a vacation, nearly half admit to working during some portion of it. And half of the respondents said they work on holidays.

In addition, nearly half of those surveyed work while driving; more than two-thirds work on their days off, which includes checking e-mail, voice mail or making work calls; and two-thirds work after hours and at night.

And nearly 20 percent admitted to reading work-related e-mail and papers while in the bathroom.

The survey was developed by Staples and conducted by International Communications Research (ICR). ICR polled 300 leaders of companies with fewer than 20 employees between Dec. 6, 2006, and Dec. 12, 2006.

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