0246 The Associations between Subjectively Unrefreshing Sleep and the Workplace

Abstract

Employee fatigue and sleepiness can lead to increased hostility, decreased mood, plus absentee and presenteeism. Decreased work performance due to fatigue or sleepiness can lead to significant financial deficit for companies. One study estimated a $54 million loss attributed to fatigue-related productivity reductions at four U.S. based companies. With almost 76% of employees feeling “tired many days of the week,” these losses are relevant to many businesses. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between subjective sleep quality and workplace performance. A sample of OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center employees (n= 573, age 18–69) completed a 20-question survey about perceived sleep quality, work attendance, and the reported effects of sleepiness, tiredness, or fatigue on their mood and interactions in the workplace. Results were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. When asked if sleep is usually refreshing, more subjects reported no than yes (n=325, 248 respectively (56.7%, 43.3%)). Those who reported that sleep is not refreshing were also more likely to declare sleepiness, tiredness, or fatigue at work (n=187 vs. n=62 (57.5%, 25.0%) p = 0.0002). Similarly, the same subjects were more likely to report that sleepiness, tiredness, or fatigue negatively affected their moods and workplace interactions (n=48 vs. n=11 (14.7%, 4.44%) p < 0.0001). Finally, those with unrefreshing sleep were also 1.8 times more likely to report tardiness to work than did those with refreshing sleep (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–2.8; p = 0.0136). These findings that self-reported unrefreshing sleep is associated with adverse workplace outcomes, including tardiness, worsened mood, and difficulty with workplace relations suggest that attention to sleep health and education in the workplace may be worthwhile. N/A