Sleep and employee productivity are related in the sense that proper sleep facilitates better work output. It’s very difficult for workers to be motivated and perform to the best of their abilities when they are tired from lack of sleep. Here are ways to encourage workers to improve productivity by adopting healthy sleep habits.
Sleep Deprivation’s Effect
Over a third of Americans do not allow themselves sufficient regular sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Staying up late and waking early can lead to symptoms of sleep deprivation such as fatigue. Lack of sleep is unhealthy because it doesn’t allow the body enough time to reset itself at night. This has physical consequences along with the increased risk of accidents and getting reprimanded at work for careless mistakes caused by sleep deprivation.
The proper amount of sleep varies among individuals, but health experts recommend adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress which is even more problematic during the pandemic since stress levels are already elevated from the restrictions and changes brought on by the pandemic.
Impact of Sleep on Employee Performance
Research has shown that reduced productivity due to lack of sleep costs businesses over $400 billion per year, according to Rand Corporation. The report further suggests that if employers could convince employees who get less than six hours of sleep to get more sleep, it could add $226 billion to the economy.
The reason sleep patterns directly affect workers is due to how the brain responds to insufficient sleep. A person who gets sufficient sleep will be more alert and have stronger cognitive functions. By contrast, someone who sleeps less than six hours per night might be shifting in and out of daydreams, which can be dangerous for workers who work with heavy machinery and other sensitive equipment.
Sleepiness can lead to errors and redoing assignments, which lowers productivity. It also limits creativity and reduces critical thinking abilities. The 1980s Chernobyl nuclear disaster, in which insufficient sleep was reported as an underlying cause, is a reminder of why proper sleep matters for public safety. When people aren’t in full control of their cognitive functions it can lead to poor decision-making or even reckless behavior.
Solutions for Better Sleep
Employers can encourage employees to get more sleep by addressing the issue and pointing out how insufficient sleep can hurt the company and the worker. If a firm doesn’t take this initiative, it can mean constantly firing and replacing people, which isn’t good for the bottom line. The more a company can develop a consistent staff that enjoys their work, the less time and money will need to be spent on recruiting and training.
Addressing sleep as an important issue hasn’t been common in the past due to emphasis on profits without exploring worker needs. Now that companies increasingly view health and social responsibility as part of the dynamics that affect productivity, more employers are realizing the value of proper sleep. Offering wellness programs and sleep education in the workplace can make a difference.
These structured solutions keep managers on the lookout for signs of fatigue in workers. Managers who want to stay on top of their game know they need workers to perform at optimal levels. Managers can ease tension in the workplace by allowing for more scheduling flexibility. In some cases, workers just may need extra sleep on certain days. Another possible solution is to provide napping rooms in the workplace.
Understanding the link between sleep and employee productivity is important for managers seeking to increase workplace efficiency. Maintaining a healthy and happy workforce is part of a balanced plan to maximize profits. You also need the right health insurance. Contact us at 01 Insurance to learn more about how much insurance you need for your New York business.