Support for The Sleep Charter
Thank you for pledging your support to The Sleep Charter and taking the first steps in tackling sleep deprivation and fatigue in the workplace.
By signing up to the charter you have demonstrated your commitment to working together to bring about coordinated action to improve the nation’s sleep.
Our Charter is at the heart of our work which seeks to highlight the impact of sleep deprivation, the inequalities in sleep support available and to tackle cultural change in the workplace.
We believe that by working together we can make a real diff erence to the lives of our colleagues, families and friends who suff er due to sleep issues and promote good sleep to support wellbeing and productivity.
Thank you for your support. Please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to know more.
Sleep issues are so prevalent that it is estimated 200,000 working days are lost in the UK every year because of insufficient sleep
Sleep deprivation can have a seriously damaging effect on our mental and physical health but also on job retention and performance.
One in six crashes resulting in death and injury on motorways and A roads are fatigue related.
Key Messages for the Campaign
Why We Can’t Afford To Ignore Sleep
1
Sleep is essential for our health and wellbeing yet it is estimated that 40% of the population suffer with sleep issues and many do not get the support that they need. Poor sleep impacts significantly on day-to-day life1, is costly for society and has a major impact on absenteeism and presenteeism.
2
A worker sleeping less than six hours loses around six working days due to absenteeism or presenteeism per year more than a worker sleeping seven to nine hours. A person sleeping six to seven hours loses on average about 3.7 working days more per year
3
Sleep also needs to be recognised as a vital component of mental health. Links between sleep and depression are strong. Approximately three quarters of depressed patients have insomnia symptoms. Getting quality sleep means we are recharged and ready to face what life may throw at us.
4
Most people are well aware of the risks of drinking and driving but driving whilst sleepy can be just as dangerous. In fact, research shows that even moderate sleep deprivation affects driving performance to the same degree as low-level alcohol intoxication.
5
Tiredness impacts on driving ability, reaction times (being able to brake quickly), judgement (e.g. working out how sharp a bend is) and causes poor concentration which can increase chances of having an accident.
6
75% of people in work say workplace stresses have caused them sleep issues in the last six months. Common causes include worrying about workload/deadlines and job security, working late, receiving texts/emails from colleagues and changing shift patterns impacting on sleep routine.
How To Support The Charter
POSTER PACK
Email the posters to your Wellbeing Leads, HR, Occupational Health and/or other key departments. Print posters for communal areas, toilets, canteens and corridors.
ADVICE SHEET
This advice sheet can be emailed to your employees, or you could add to your website.
SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS
Use the social media assets to promote your pledge of support to The Sleep Charter on your social media channels.
TIME TO EDUCATE YOUR TEAMS
When employees’ sleep well, performance and concentration is improved, stress levels decrease and there is reduced absenteeism and presenteeism.
If you are committed to improving fatigue in the workplace to support your employees’ health and wellbeing, why not consider running a talk or training session for your staff teams and senior leaders on all aspects of sleep?
Whether it’s basic knowledge you require or something specifiic relating to mental health, shift work or the menopause, we can deliver online webinars, bespoke packages or our Workplace Sleep Ambassador training.
Sleep deprivation in the UK workforce costs the economy £40.2 billion in loss of productivity and it is estimated this will steadily rise to £47 billion by 2030.
Workplace Sleep Ambassadors
Make a positive difference to your company’s health and wellbeing strategies by investing in sleep. By training and motivating a team of sleep advocates who can promote wellbeing in the company, you will ensure the culture stays strong and encourages other colleagues to talk about sleep.