Technology is boosting levels of happiness amongst the 4.2 million small businesses in the UK.

BT Business has made the claims in light of its survey which reveals that as many as one in two employees believe IT is making their job more varied than it was 10 years ago, with 41 per cent saying it makes their work more interesting.

Technology is also playing a huge part in boosting employee productivity, say the telecoms giant. Almost three quarters of employees and 71 per cent of employers in small businesses across the UK believe that technology enables them to work faster than ever before.

Colin Mattey, director IT manager, BT Business, said: “On average, owner managers spend £17,000 a year on their IT and communications. Investment in technology is essential to enable long-term business growth, as well as ensuring tangible benefits for staff. Technology should be there to support staff; they should be managing it, not the other way around. Getting sound, trusted advice on how best to use your IT could help a small businesses to change its working practices and maximise the productivity of its staff.”

The findings back those of the BT Business IT Skills report produced by the Centre for Future Studies last year. According to BT Business, it identified the need for urgency among small and medium sized businesses to embrace new skills and technology to ensure long-term business growth, regardless of whether they are a sole trader, home or growing business.

In a recent report by HR Zone, three quarters of workers said that blackberry and mobile communications are adding to stress levels for workers taking a break away from the office.