Over 50 per cent of British workers say they take time off work due to feeling tired or not having enough sleep, new data we commissioned revealed. And if this isn’t concerning enough to bosses, 38 per cent of workers admit to forgetting things and being less productive as a result of not having enough shut eye.
The data also reveals that 25 per cent of 45–55-year-olds come into work tired most days, while one in five 25–34-year-olds fail to turn up to work at all due to feeling tired and more than a quarter (28 per cent) of 18–24-year-olds leave work early due to tiredness.
Workplace wellbeing is more critical now than ever, due to the extra pressure on workers with the ongoing cost of living and energy crises, so these survey results are a worrying finding that show employees need help with their sleep. That’s why we’re campaigning with our Charter for Sleep Equality (which launched in Westminster on 18th January 2023), developed o help improve the sleep of employees across the nation by providing practical guidance to employers.
We strongly believe it’s important that bosses are putting a structure in place to look after employees’ wellbeing especially when pressure is high outside of the office environment.
This data shows a shocking number of their colleagues are not able to work at their full potential due to sleep issues, which are also affecting their personal wellbeing. Sleep deprivation must be taken seriously and employees need to feel they can talk to their line managers about any issues without judgement.
These numbers can be reduced, however, with the right advice and help. We want to drive awareness of sleep-related issues and their impact on our work, and support businesses throughout 2023 in helping their teams to sleep better.”
The Charter for Sleep Equality addresses the growing issues of sleep deprivation and fatigue, calling on businesses to pledge their commitment to improving sleep support for their employees. We are pleased to be able to relaunch the Charter to help solve the issues that the lack of sleep can bring to people’s daily lives.
It’s important that firms take action to educate themselves on the wider problems that lack of sleep can cause in the workplace. and we hope this new data helps to spread awareness and open eyes to just how many people this can affect.”
The survey, conducted in partnership with OnePoll, marked the launch of our Sleep Charter.