MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING REST ASSURED
We’re all aware of the dangers driving tired poses, so is it time we reconsider our attitudes towards sleep and work? The fact is, sleep is a critical component of workplace health and safety, yet it continues to be overlooked.
The effects of inadequate sleep can be harmful to both workplace safety and overall
employee health. As an employer or manager, you should consider prioritising employee sleep to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Around 50% of employees experience problems with their sleep. When your employees struggle with their sleep, their performance at work is affected. This can spell disaster for them and your business. A lack of sleep can have a significant impact on employee health. This in turn can affect their ability to perform their job safely and effectively.
Research has shown poor sleep is associated with negative moods, reduced concentration, shorter attention spans, and impaired problem-solving and team-working skills. These issues can lead to increased operational risk in the form of workplace accidents. Sleep-related mistakes can also cause lower customer satisfaction and loss of business.
By making employees’ sleep a priority, managers can improve workplace health and safety and boost profit, explains Martyna Jabłońska, Head of Sleep Services at Sleep Scotland.
The problem of poor employee sleep is so widespread, it has been calculated that sleep-related issues cost employers approximately £1,248 per employee annually.
Fatigue is one of the top causes of workplace accidents. This is especially true for those who work night shifts or those required to work in challenging or dangerous environments. Long working hours, constant physical and mental exhaustion dealing with complex and demanding tasks, and working to ever-tighter deadlines are key contributors to tiredness. For workers, fatigue means impaired decision-making abilities and lower reaction times and alertness, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. A sleep-deprived worker may be more likely to miss a safety hazard or make a mistake that leads to an accident.
“SLEEP-RELATED ISSUES COST EMPLOYERS APPROXIMATELY £1,248 PER EMPLOYEE ANNUALLY.”
Sleep deprivation also causes increased instances of sickness and absenteeism, which can contribute to dangerously low staffing levels. Ongoing issues related to fatigue can contribute to low morale in your workforce. This can result in reduced productivity, lower levels of engagement at work, and burnout, contributing to increased levels of quiet quitting, absenteeism, and staff turnover.
The average adult needs between seven and nine hours of uninterrupted sleep. Fewer than this can lead to irritability and impaired judgement. Unfortunately, many workers report getting less sleep than this. But what is sleep, and why is it so important?
At its most basic, sleep is a biological process that plays a vital role in physical health and wellbeing. During sleep, our bodies repair and regenerate, allowing us to recover from physical exertion and injuries. While sleeping, our body balances hormones, regulating bodily processes such as the immune system and metabolism.
A good night's sleep helps improve concentration, focus, and problem-solving skills. A well-rested employee is more likely to have improved mental agility, meaning they can think more quickly and creatively when it comes to solving problems. These skills can make all the difference in avoiding a workplace accident.
Good sleep is important for our physical and mental health. Chronically fatigued workers have an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Poor sleep is also linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. So,
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