The Prevalence of Poor Sleep Among Workers
If you find yourself dozing off at work, taking a nap during the day, or experiencing insomnia at night, you’re not alone. According to the first Health Survey by Betterfly, a health platform, 71% of workers reported having poor sleep quality.
Among those surveyed, only 15% reported sleeping well. Jorge Gutiérrez Siles, a psychoanalyst and senior consultant at KAYSA, a firm focused on workplace well-being, explains that “poor sleep is not just an individual worker’s personal issue; it’s also a shared responsibility of companies.”
The Impact of Poor Sleep on Workers and Organizations
Gutiérrez Siles elaborates that when workplace rules are unclear, workloads are excessive or unevenly distributed, or employees receive messages outside of their working hours, risks arise that can lead to sleep disorders affecting both employees’ health and the organization’s performance.
At an individual level, poor sleep can lead to cognitive consequences such as reduced concentration, difficulty making decisions, mood swings, irritability, chronic stress, and decreased quality of life. At an organizational level, poor sleep results in lower productivity, increased risk of workplace accidents, absenteeism, demotivation, and ultimately affects the organization’s results.
Erika Villavicencio-Ayub, a researcher in mental health and strategic human resources management, warns that “insufficient sleep has a profound and multifaceted impact on the workplace, affecting performance and safety, increasing the risk of accidents, and impairing attention processes.”
Gutiérrez Siles cautions that an overworked employee “is not a hero but a risk to themselves, their team, and the company” when they don’t get restorative sleep.
When sleep is not rejuvenating, brain function is altered: it affects the prefrontal cortex, impacting decision-making, and the amygdala causes emotional regulation issues due to its hyperactivity, according to Villavicencio-Ayub, director of LATAM at the consulting firm DserOrganizacional.
Red Flags Indicating Sleep Issues
There are warning signs or “red flags” that workers should recognize to identify potential sleep problems:
- Daytime drowsiness
- Briefly nodding off during meetings
- Frequent forgetfulness
- Being on autopilot
- Increased stress reactivity
- Sudden urges to cry
“If you find yourself relying on coffee, energy drinks, or experiencing morning headaches, these are common signs of poor sleep,” advises Villavicencio-Ayub.
Preventing Sleep-Related Risks
Mexico’s NOM-35 on psychosocial workplace risk factors includes non-organic sleep-wake cycle disorders caused by job functions, shift types, and exposure to severe traumatic events or workplace violence.
However, seven years after its publication in the Federal Register (DOF), companies have mostly performed a “cosmetic compliance” with NOM-35, neglecting to analyze their employees’ sleep health status, according to Gutiérrez Siles, who participated in creating the First Protocol Against Workplace Violence.
At an organizational level, companies should review their shift and turn management practices to ensure they are appropriate. They should formalize their practices through protocols that prevent excessive workloads, design rotating shift schedules considering employees’ characteristics, and avoid chronic overload, Gutiérrez Siles adds.
“Chronic overload equals guaranteed insomnia,” he emphasizes.
Villavicencio-Ayub suggests incorporating recovery spaces within companies, such as short active breaks or brief napping areas, adapting to the sector and job characteristics. She also highlights the importance of reviewing leadership styles within the company.
“Leaders should set an example of balancing sleep habits. Avoid phrases like ‘I’m available 24/7,’ as they don’t establish boundaries,” she advises. “Identify toxic cultures, workaholism, unclear working hours, or the assumption that not responding immediately means a lack of commitment,” she suggests addressing these issues from human capital areas.
To prevent overload-related sleep issues, companies must define clear priorities and adjust workloads to match the actual capacity of each position.
“It’s not just about offering sleep training; it’s about implementing organizational measures,” Gutiérrez Siles stresses.
How Workers Can Protect Their Sleep
While workers can take steps to protect their sleep, companies must still avoid psychosocial factors affecting their employees’ sleep quality.
- Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine
- Avoid screens for at least 60 minutes before bedtime
- Minimize lights in the sleeping area
- Optimize sleep environment with ideal temperature and comfortable furniture (mattress, pillow)
- Avoid caffeinated beverages, smoking, and alcohol before sleep
