Drop in worker productivity in the UK linked to tiredness
A new productivity study has shown a growing negative link between sleep and productivity in the UK, as a result of the increasingly blurred lines between work life and home life in the UK.
Work life and home life beginning to blur
Speaking about the new research, Mike Blake, a director at Willis Towers Watson Health & Benefits, said, “The work environment is no longer confined to the office, with the stress of heavy workloads creeping into home life.“Whilst companies may benefit from a perceived ‘increase’ in productivity in the short-term, ongoing stress, coupled with lack of sleep, can risk having an overall negative impact on operational performance.“The launch of the worldwide sleep study is a clear indicator that fatigue will become a more prevalent and serious workplace issue that employers can ill afford to ignore.”Despite 65 per cent of workers saying tiredness has become a bigger workplace problem over the past five years, WTW’s research revealed that just 17 per cent of employers proactively educate their employees on the effect of sleep on general wellbeing.Wellbeing programmes a potential answer
Mr Blake said employee-focused health and wellbeing programmes could help companies address the growing issue of fatigue at work.“Employers who become more attuned to the needs of their workers outside the office are more likely to retain a happy and healthy employee base,” he added.“Companies should aim to identify and tackle potential issues before they become a problem. Open dialogue is key to establishing a positive workplace culture that addresses and mitigates stress and fatigue.“This will allow managers to identify dips in productivity and tackle the root causes before more serious issues arise, such as absenteeism and presenteeism.”Related stories:
- New research reveals optimum work habits
- Taylor Review links 'good work' to modern employment practices
- Expat mental health: taking a preventative approach
“By placing an emphasis on the importance of sufficient sleep, workers will also feel more comfortable approaching managers about fatigue and solutions can be found, such as meditative practices, review of workloads or flexible working hours.You can find out more about the Willis Towers Watson Health & Benefits Barometer 2017 on their website.For related news and features, visit our Health section.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory Get access to our free Global Mobility Toolkit
©2024 Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.