5 ways employers can help staff improve their sleep
Only about one in ten (10%) individuals has optimal sleep patterns, while one in three adults aren’t getting enough sleep at all, according to research from Vitality and the London School of Economics.
Poor sleep doesn’t just affect people at home; it can have an impact at work too. In fact, employees who regularly don’t sleep enough lose the equivalent of 6.4 productive days a year through absenteeism and presenteeism.
Whilst in most sectors employees sleep outside of working hours, businesses can play a critical role in helping their employees to foster healthier sleeping habits.
Here are five ways employers can help staff to improve their sleep:
1. Set clear boundaries around out-of-hours work
With hybrid and remote working schedules and technology enabling constant connectivity, it’s possible that employees may struggle to switch off.
One study found that 70% of UK professionals find it hard to disconnect from work – an issue that is “leaving many unable to relax and even lose sleep over”.
Employers can help to tackle this by:
- Discouraging late-night work emails and work calls
- Introducing “right to disconnect” principles
- Encouraging delayed sends or prompts to encourage work messages to be sent in working hours
2. Create spaces for rest in the office
For employers with an office location, creating quiet spaces or recharge rooms can give employees the chance to take short rest breaks when they need throughout the day.
While this shouldn’t be a substitute for a proper night’s rest, it could give them an opportunity to rest and recharge.
3. Encourage habits that support healthy sleep
Aside from creating a culture that supports healthy work-life boundaries and encourages employees to switch off, employers can share tips that support healthy sleep patterns.
According to the report from Vitality and the London School of Economics and Political Science, the following could be a good starting point:
- Reducing screen time an hour before bed (blue light from screens can delay melatonin release)
- Keeping consistent sleep and wake times
- Creating cool, dark, quiet, and sleep-friendly environments
4. Give employees access to sleep support tools
Employers could also double down on support by giving staff access to digital wellbeing tools that offer guided meditations, soundscapes, or mindfulness exercises.
These tools could not only help to support employee wellbeing more generally, but it could help provide a calming pre-bedtime routine and help encourage a good night’s sleep.
5. Lead by example
Putting strategies and support in place is one thing but it’s equally crucial to ensure that senior leaders are modelling healthy habits and are setting clear boundaries themselves.
Avoiding sending late-night work emails and actively switching off outside of work will help to prevent an ‘always on’ culture and will signal to employees that the organisation genuinely wants them to switch off.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Vitality
At Vitality, we take a unique approach to insurance. As well as providing high-quality comprehensive cover, we provide a complete wellness package that can help boost employee engagement and productivity.
