We wish it was as easy as just being told to go to sleep. In fact, it’s a huge bummer and a major issue when people can’t. And it’s costing the U.S. about $63 billion annually in lost productivity.
Researchers surveyed 7,428 employed people across the U.S. and found that 23% experienced some form of insomnia—such as difficulty falling asleep or nighttime waking—at least three times a week during the previous month, for at least 30 minutes at a stretch.
Not surprisingly, these sleep problems carried over into the workplace. Insomniacs were no more likely than their well-rested peers to miss work, but they were so consistently tired on the job that they cost their employers the equivalent of 7.8 days of work in lost productivity each year—an amount equal to an average of about $2,280 in salary per person.
This is not cost effective for employers. Yet, the solution isn’t replacing those affected, because chances are they’re right for their job. What would be cost effective would be company offered programs, and educating employees on proper sleep and recognizing when there’s a problem.
If you think you’re suffering from insomnia, the solution is not going to be offsetting it with coffee or energy drinks in the morning. You should probably get checked out. Sleep is crazy-important!
[Image via AP Images.]
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