New research highlights a significant decline in employee sleep quality, impacting workplace productivity.
- Less than 20% of employees enjoy good quality sleep, a stark drop from previous years.
- A substantial 61% of workforce identifies tiredness as a primary productivity obstacle.
- Night-time wakings and difficulty falling asleep are common issues among employees.
- Leaders urged to address root causes of sleep issues to enhance workplace wellbeing.
A recent study conducted by Champion Health has unveiled alarming findings regarding employee sleep quality across the UK. Among the 4,300 employees surveyed, only a mere 19% reported experiencing good or excellent sleep quality, a considerable decline from the last year. This drop in sleep standards poses significant challenges to workplace productivity and overall employee wellbeing.
The detrimental effects of poor sleep are evident, with 61% of professionals citing tiredness as their main barrier to productivity, a concern that far outweighs the 32% who refer to high stress as an impediment. Furthermore, 70% of employees rated their productivity as average or below, underscoring the critical role of quality sleep.
Champion Health’s Workplace Health Report 2024 delves deeper into these issues, revealing a worrying trend in energy levels among employees. Almost half of the respondents, specifically 48%, admitted to feeling fatigued throughout the day. There is also a notable pattern in energy fluctuations, with productivity peaks observed at 10.18 am and dips at 3.28 pm, highlighting potential areas for intervention.
Sleep-related difficulties are rampant, with nearly half of the workforce experiencing regular nighttime awakenings and over one-third struggling to fall asleep. Such disruptions undoubtedly affect not only the employees’ health but also their efficiency and performance during working hours.
Harry Bliss, CEO of Champion Health, emphasises the urgency of tackling these challenges. He states, “The data from our Workplace Health Report 2024 underscores the urgent need for organisations to prioritise employee wellbeing beyond just mental and physical health – which sleep significantly impacts. Poor sleep quality is not only affecting individual health but is also a detriment to overall workplace productivity and energy levels.” Bliss advocates for targeted strategies to improve sleep quality, viewing this investment as essential for organisational success.
Addressing the root causes of sleep-related issues is essential for enhancing productivity and employee wellbeing.
