Survey shows work costing employees sleep

A new survey has discovered that sleeplessness is a real problem for employees in the UK, with work often being at the heart of the issue.

The Mental Health Foundation carried out this survey and it spoke to 2,000 people for it. A sizeable number of them said three nights of decent sleep per week was all they could typically manage. In addition, many of them stated that work related concerns were among the reasons for their difficulties in sleeping. Around 13% of respondents, which amounts to approximately one out of every seven, indicated that work worries was the reason for their poor sleep.

Another 33% of those who took part said lack of sleep was affecting their concentration in the workplace. Around 22% were concerned it was leading to an increase in errors, while 13% told the survey that they had fallen asleep during the working day.

When it comes to what employers can do to tackle the problem, it has been suggested they could set up programmes focused on wellbeing and healthy patterns of sleep. This is something that outsourced HR services in Hertfordshire can help with.

Alexa Knight works for the Mental Health Foundation as its policy and influencing director. Talking to Personnel Today, she said:

“This research shows that poor sleep can be both a consequence of work-related stress and a barrier to performing well at work.”

She added there was evidence that companies that put time and money into wellbeing programmes reap the benefits in employee retention, productivity and engagement.