However, Matt Hardman, the FPB's Campaigns Manager, said: "The implication behind Mr Shah's comments is obviously that workers in small firms tend to be more stressed that those in large companies and receive less support. But a workplace survey has revealed that people working in small firms are happier than those working for big business."

Mr Hardman said that staff in larger firms could often feel that they didn't know what was going on and that they had no influence. But in smaller firms "Everyone has to pull together and support each other. Business owners with a small staff will know their people personally, and understand how much they depend on them. They cannot afford the cost and disruption of a member of staff suffering from stress or being off sick for long periods."

The FPB argues that big companies have to invest in resources to deal with stress because they are too large for the executives to know what is happening on the ‘shop floor'. But in smaller businesses, the owner usually can spot a problem quickly and deal with it in an informal and friendly manner. 

"Of course there are bad managers and bosses in businesses of every size," said Mr Hardman. "But when it comes to stress in smaller businesses, all the evidence is that it is felt mainly by the owners as they struggle to comply with regulations and unfair competition from the ‘big boys'".

He added that the FPB's Employment Guide was an indispensable aid to help owner-managers deal with the stress of running a small business.