Recent research has highlighted the significant impact of poor sleep quality on workplace productivity, with implications for both individual health and business outcomes.
Sleep Deprivation's Impact on Workplace Performance
A comprehensive survey by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reveals that approximately 60% of adults experience negative effects from inadequate sleep, with 70% reporting that poor sleep quality directly impairs their general work productivity. The data, presented at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, indicates that two-thirds of participants struggle to manage their workload and avoid mistakes when sleep-deprived.
"Whether an organization employs 20 people or 200,000, focusing on sleep health and safety in their own community of colleagues can benefit performance and productivity at work and in daily living," explained Dr. Joseph Dzierzewski, NSF Senior Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs.
The survey, which included 1,372 U.S. adults with oversampling for Black and Hispanic individuals, identified specific workplace consequences of insufficient sleep:
- 55% reported difficulty working the required number of hours
- 72% struggled to get started at the beginning of the workday
- 69% experienced impaired clear thinking
- 58% had trouble performing work carefully
- 47% faced challenges interacting with colleagues in person, in meetings, or on the phone
- 48% had difficulty controlling their temper in professional settings
These findings underscore how sleep quality affects not only personal health but also professional performance and productivity, making poor sleep a significant business concern.
Job Strain as a Contributing Factor to Sleep Disturbances
Complementing the NSF findings, a study published January 8, 2025, in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine demonstrates that job-related stress significantly contributes to sleep problems. The research, led by Dr. Jian Li, professor of work and health at UCLA, analyzed data from more than 1,700 workers followed for approximately nine years.
The study assessed sleep disturbances based on difficulty falling asleep, nighttime waking, early morning awakening, and daytime fatigue. Using six different measures of job strain, researchers found that every metric significantly linked workplace stress to higher risk of sleep disturbances.
"Strategies such as redesigning workloads and promoting worker autonomy could play an important role in improving sleep health and workers' well-being," noted Dr. Li.
The Prevalence of Sleep Issues
Sleep problems represent a major public health concern in the United States. According to background information in the research, approximately one in seven adults experiences difficulty falling asleep, while one in six struggles to stay asleep throughout the night.
As businesses continue to recover from pandemic disruptions and adapt to evolving work models—whether full-time in-office or hybrid schedules—the importance of well-rested employees has become increasingly apparent.
Implications for Workplace Policies
The researchers emphasize "the critical need for early workplace interventions aimed at reducing job strain" as a means to improve sleep health among workers. With the NSF noting an increase in sleep-focused personal electronics and wearable technology, there may be additional tools available to help address these issues.
For employers, these findings suggest that prioritizing employee sleep health through workload management, stress reduction programs, and policies that promote work-life balance could yield significant benefits in terms of productivity, error reduction, and overall workplace functioning.
As the connection between sleep quality and workplace performance becomes clearer, addressing sleep health emerges as not merely a personal health concern but an important business strategy with potential benefits for both employees and organizations.
