Almost everyone has felt tired and has had a sneaky sleep at work. Ok, apart from pilots and surgeons and employment solicitors…we just get cratchy.
Research says workers lose around 200,000 working days a year due to sleep deprivation and feeling too tired. In the long-term, it can cause serious health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Being cratchy isn’t a killer unless it is an extreme case and a colleague murders them through frustration.
Public Health England and Business in the Community have launched a Sleep and Recovery Toolkit to help employers tackle sleep deprivation at work and to improve the wellbeing (and productivity) of workers who are feeling too tired..
According to the toolkit, to reduce sleep deprivation employers should introduce flexible working schemes for workers who have to commute over long distances, ensure workers have access to natural light sources and are adequately hydrated while working; signpost information that will make it easier for workers to receive a good night’s rest.
What are your rights to rest breaks at work? you can read our article here and more information on taking time off work.