How Sleep (Or Lack Thereof) Affects Job Performance
When it comes to sleep and work, it’s like a double-edged sword. A lack of sleep affects job performance, but job performance (such as working long hours) can in turn affect sleep.
Employees are spending an average of 9.5 hours in an average workday, which means they’re getting less sleep. This leads to sleep deprivation and can leave you feeling more tired and less creative. It also makes it more difficult to stay focused on important projects.
Over time, employees start sacrificing sleep for work, then working more to make up for lost productivity. It becomes an exhausting cycle.
How Sleep Impacts Job Performance
Sleep plays a vital role in nearly every system of the body. As we rest, brain activity shifts into a restorative mode, triggering key biological processes. This nightly reset supports our heart health, immune system, memory, focus, and emotional balance. These are needed to function well at work.
Despite this, many Americans don’t get enough sleep. Adults need at least seven hours per night, yet nearly one-third regularly fall short. As a result, fatigue is common on the job. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to reduced productivity, poor decision-making, and increased risk of workplace accidents. Over time, it can even result in an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and cognitive decline.
The consequences don’t stop there. Fatigue takes a significant toll on the economy, costing employers in the United States billions each year. On average, a single employee experiencing fatigue can cost their employer approximately $1,967 annually due to decreased productivity, reduced motivation, and fatigue-related health care expenses. Across the workforce, these losses add up quickly. Fatigue in the workplace is estimated to cost companies more than $136 billion every year in lost productivity and related expenses.
Modern technology is making matters worse in this regard. While it has made it easier to work from anywhere, this increased connectivity often blurs the boundaries between work and personal life. Without clear separation, people may prioritize work at the expense of their own well-being. Research shows that being able to mentally disconnect from work after hours can help reduce the harmful effects of job-related stress.
Some professions, like doctors, remote workers, and those on call, are expected to remain available nearly 24/7. Others, such as nurses, pilots, and shift workers, may work irregular hours that disrupt natural sleep patterns and can lead to conditions like shift work disorder.
Contact Us Today
Sleep is important. While workplace accidents are caused by various reasons, some are due to exhaustion and lack of rest.
Sleep deprivation is a serious issue. If you have been in a workplace accident, no matter the cause, get the help you need from a Mt. Juliet workers’ compensation lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC. We will craft a compelling claim and protect your right to compensation. Schedule a consultation today by calling (615) 622-6060 or filling out the online form.
Source:
sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/good-sleep-and-job-performance
