CHANGING WHITE-COLLAR SLEEP PERCEPTIONS

Researchers interviewed company executives and occupational medicine specialists about sleep health programs in corporate environments and found that demanding work cultures inhibited participation in these programs.

Their global study indicates that employers need to change perceptions that equate a lack of sleep with dedication to work and instead foster a work culture that values sleep.

The study identifies four barriers to promoting better sleep among white-collar workers:

Lack of Sleep Awareness: Many workers don't realize they have sleep problems or downplay their exhaustion, making it challenging to encourage them to seek sleep support. Companies also struggle to prioritize sleep health programs because they are unsure where to start.

Confidentiality Concerns: Employees fear being perceived as weak or vulnerable if they admit to sleep issues. Overcoming this barrier requires providing clear information on data security and privacy policies.

Demanding Work Cultures: Heavy workloads and the expectation of being available after hours create high work pressure. Participants suggest implementing more flexible work policies and reducing meetings to allow for better sleep management.

Work-Life Imbalance: Balancing work and family time can make employees resistant to participating in sleep programs. The pandemic and remote work exacerbated this, but returning to the office or adopting hybrid work models may encourage interest in sleep health programs.

Access the research here

 

Share Tweet

RELATED

DO WE NEED A NEW HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS?
Until the 1940s safety was basically a trial-and-error endeavour – in 1941 the National Safety Council (NSC) in the US began in-depth examinations into the causes of fatal occupational incidents and seeking...
Read More
AKZ FINED AGAIN FOR REPEAT INJURIES
Morwell based company Retired AKZ Pty Ltd (formerly known as AKZ Reinforcing Pty Ltd) makes a return to court after injuring their fifth employee in much the same way. Their repeated failures...
Read More
NEWCOLD UNDERTAKING DÉJÀ VU
A cold storage warehouse facility operator has entered into their second Enforceable Undertaking (EU) following an incident that crushed a labour hire worker’s ankle.
Read More