Save £3,000 per employee by helping staff sleep more soundly

Recent findings by British mattress brand Hyde & Sleep have shown that businesses could save more than £3,000 per employee by investing in mattresses for staff. Sleep deprivation costs employers more than £34 billion through lost productivity each year. Investing in better rest for staff could generate significant savings for businesses, despite a challenging economic climate.

The average British worker wastes at least two hours a day at work as a result of tiredness and over two thirds of British workers admit to being severely sleep deprived, with discomfort being one of the main reasons we are unable to get a full night’s sleep. Employees who lose two hours of productivity per working day are costing their employer at least of £3,505 a year (based on the UK minimum wage).

Lack of sleep not only costs the employer, it also affects the quality of work produced because there is a knock on effect on the execution of employees’ key skills. Research has proven that sleep deprivation has a profound effect on problem solving, planning, organisation, memory and data retention. More alarmingly, sleeping for less than the seven hours has the same effect as going without sleep for up to two days, or drinking three glasses of wine.

Founder of Hyde & Sleep, Andrew Tyler, says; “Workplace productivity is core to the success of a business. A good night’s sleep has a huge impact on employee output. The quality of work being delivered and can result in fewer days being lost through sickness. For this reason, we recommend that businesses support their employees in getting a solid 40 winks.

“For businesses wanting to go the extra mile, we recommend buying employees a new mattress. Ours come with a 100 day test policy, giving the employer the chance to trial the impact on the productivity of their employees, without it costing them a penny. If productivity levels don’t improve, the mattresses can simply be returned before the 100 day period is over.”

Hyde & Sleep have published their top tips on advice to give employees to make sure they get the best night’s sleep:

• Encourage a caffeine free afternoon – Change up your work coffee culture and avoid the afternoon slump with a lunch that will boost plummeting afternoon energy levels. Nuts, spinach, mushrooms, sweet potato, eggs, salmon and seeds all naturally boost energy, without the need for coffee.
• Eliminate interruptions and sleep on the best – The right mattress will ensure you can’t wait to get into bed. Create an environment you dream about sleeping in: no lumps or bumps from stray springs, fresh clean sheets and a big enough mattress to spread out in your favourite starfish position.
• Digital free evenings – Those late night emails from clients and colleagues can wait until the morning. The light coming from your favourite device stops your body from producing melatonin, which is the sleep-inducing hormone, so put down your phone at least 45 mins before bedtime. You could pick up a book wind down, or practice meditation.
• Temperature – If you’re too hot or too cold, you won’t sleep well. Control the temperature of your room – sort yourself out with the right tog duvet, ventilate the room and make it nice and cosy.
• Learn how much sleep you really need – The recommended amount of sleep you need is seven to nine hours, but listen to your body and learn what suits you best to maximise your productivity levels at work.