A lack of sleep is common in the U.S., with nearly 37 percent of people reporting they don’t get enough, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

And employees who don’t get enough shuteye and more likely to suffer a workplace injury, reports the National Library of Medicine , which also says workers who do get enough rest have greater safety participation and safety motivation, and fewer accidents and injuries.

Risks of sleeplessness

When employees don’t get adequate sleep, injuries are often the result of:

• Loss of muscle coordination
• Increased risk of dropping things
• Stumbling and falling
• Impaired memory, attention, judgment and concentration
• Difficulty making decisions, processing complex data and regulating emotions
• Greater distractibility

What can I do?

As an employer, there are ways you can help ensure your employees are getting the recommended amount of sleep.

Teach your employees about the risks associated with insufficient sleep and how they can create healthy sleep habits.

Ways to combat lack of sleep include:

• Have a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning
• Create a bedtime routine to help the body unwind and grow accustomed to a sleep schedule
• Things like warm showers or baths, soothing music and noncaffeinated, herbal teas may help
• Sleep in a cool, quiet, comfortable and dark room
• Get outside during daylight hours to help reset your body’s natural sleep and wake cycles
• Limit use of technology during the hours before bedtime. Most electronics use blue light, which decreases the body’s production of melatonin and boosts attention, making the body want to stay awake. Additionally, engagement in things like social media and email can make it more difficult to unwind
• Get regular exercise
• Avoid caffeine for at least six hours prior to going to sleep

You can also take measures to make sure your workplace isn’t causing sleep issues for your employees. Some suggestions include:

• Limit shift work as much as possible
• Minimize overtime, especially if it’s forced
• Avoid permanent placement on the night shift
• Give workers as much choice as possible for shift start times
• Address stressful workplace conditions such as lighting, temperature, noise and access to food

While there may be a cultural expectation to sacrifice sleep, it doesn’t have to be a part of your organization’s culture. Emphasizing the importance of sleep will benefit your company and your employees in the long run.

Originally published December 2020; updated February 2025.