{"id":13198,"date":"2018-09-19T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-19T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/improve-employee-sleep\/"},"modified":"2025-11-03T21:45:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T02:45:13","slug":"improve-employee-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/improve-employee-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"Why And How To Improve Employee Sleep"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Inadequate sleep is detrimental to overall health, yet it\u2019s a societally normalized practice in industrialized countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s (CDC)\u00a0Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report<\/a>, over one-third of American adults consistently fall short of the recommended seven hours of sleep per night, elevating the issue to a public health epidemic with significant workplace repercussions. Addressing and promoting employee sleep health is imperative for both individual well-being and organizational success.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Costs Of Sleep Deprivation On Workplace Success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The often-overlooked element of employee wellness\u2014sleep health\u2014holds a pivotal role in a company’s performance. Sleep deprivation among employees is detrimental to an organization\u2019s bottom line and workplace environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Higher Healthcare Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sleep deprivation is directly linked to a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. These conditions not only affect employee well-being but also increase healthcare costs for employers. Investing in preventive measures can mitigate these expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Decreased Productivity & Cognitive Functioning<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Sleep deprivation impairs day-to-day cognitive functioning, resulting in impaired focus, slower reaction time, decreased problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and even increased susceptibility to formation of false memories<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The financial impacts are profound: a typical company loses $1,293 per year<\/a> of productivity per employee. This loss increases by 79% for employees at risk for poor sleep, 116% for those getting insufficient sleep, and 144% for individuals with insomnia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decreased cognitive functioning also warrants safety concerns. Multiple studies<\/a> conducted by Harvard researchers concluded that the longer an individual worked while sleep-deprived, the higher their risk for \u201cfatigue-related errors.\u201d In some scenarios, this even included the occurrence of microsleep<\/a>, short bursts of unintentional sleep that often occur while an individual is completing a routine task, sometimes without their knowledge. In some industries, the medical industry being the most prevalent example, these incidents of microsleep can be the difference between life and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Increased Absenteeism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue and illness, stemming from poor sleep, contribute to higher rates of absenteeism. Workers who consistently experience poor sleep\u2014estimated to be 7% of the US workforce\u2014report more than double the rate of unplanned absenteeism compared to their well-rested counterparts. This results in an estimated $44.6 billion in lost productivity<\/a> annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lower Morale & Engagement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sleep-deprived employees are more likely to experience stress, irritability, and disengagement. This can affect teamwork, communication, and overall job satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Emotional Well-Being & Work Culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The emotional strains caused by insufficient sleep can adversely impact workplace relationships and diminish the quality of work life. A positive work culture thrives on engagement, teamwork, and high morale\u2014all of which are compromised when employees are not getting enough rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Employer Strategies To Promote Sleep Health<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Employers play a crucial role in supporting employee sleep health, resulting in a healthier, more productive, and engaged workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Education & Awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cultivating awareness is the first step toward promoting better sleep habits among employees. This can involve:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n