We in the sleep products industry know well the importance of a good night’s sleep to a productive day’s work.
That doesn’t mean we never drag ourselves into the office and begin working while weary after a night spent tossing and turning—and when we do, we’re certainly not alone. A recent survey of more than 1,000 U.S. workers from Accountemps, a staffing firm based in Menlo Park, Calif., finds that nearly three-quarters of U.S. workers report working while tired and nearly one-third say they do so “very often.”
It’s a habit not without costs. Respondents say working while tired causes them to lose focus or be easily distracted (52%), leads to procrastination (47%), makes them grumpy (38%) and causes them to make errors (29%). Those mistakes, by the way, can be major. Respondents blamed lack of sleep on blunders ranging from making a $20,000 error on a purchase order to accidentally reformatting a server.
Younger workers are particularly likely to head into the office feeling less than well-rested. Eighty-six percent of those ages 18 to 34 say they are sleepy while working, compared with 71% of those 35-54 and 50% of those 55 and older.
To ensure workers are refreshed and at their best every day, Accountemps suggests employers help manage employee workloads, encourage workers to take short breaks during the workday and regular vacations, and provide resting areas within the workplace (including, BedTimes would add, providing a comfortable mattress for brief naps).
Finally, lead by example. “As a manager, employees take their cues from you, so set a good example,” says a March 10 news release accompanying the survey results. “Take sporadic breaks, get away from your desk and work normal business hours. Your staff will likely follow suit.”
