From the Expert: How to Help Employees Sleep Better
Sleep deprivation can be costly. Here are a few ways to help your workforce get a good night's rest.
You’d think working from home would make it more tempting to hit the snooze button, but Sarah Moe, CEO of Minneapolis-based Sleep Health Specialists, says we’ve hit a new level of exhaustion since 2020, as increased stress and anxiety interfere with sleep quality.
Fatigue costs companies an average of $2,850 per employee annually due to absenteeism, lower productivity, and health issues, Moe says.
And sleep deprivation can impair cognitive abilities, making it the No. 1 cause of workplace accidents.
“Getting the sleep we need at night,” Moe says, “is vital to being our best selves during the workday.”
Moe offers these tips to employers:
- Offer sleep education. Fitness incentives and healthy snacks are not enough; “Sleep is the third pillar of health, along with diet and exercise.”
- Normalize napping. “The science behind a power nap has been proven to increase creativity and productivity. If you have a nursing room or wellness area, get a fan and a few eye masks, and allow your employees to rest when they need it. The work and culture will improve immediately.”
- Lead by example. “If you are emailing your employees at 10:30 p.m., you are telling them that their time to rest and restore is something to be sacrificed. Allow your team to truly feel that their time is theirs. Power down and collaborate the next day.”
