Fatigue amounts to billions in lost productivity for Aussie Businesses

Yawning while reading this? Need to reach for the coffee for an extra boost? 

If you are, it seems you aren’t alone, as Australia’s largest-ever sleep census, conducted by bed manufacturer Sealy and CQUniversity, reveals some alarming data on the economic impact of sleepless nights. 

38 per cent of Aussies admit to falling asleep at work or in meetings

The Sealy Sleep Census polled over 13,000 respondents from across Australia and found that 96 per cent are waking up tired each morning, with only four per cent saying they feel refreshed. 

The survey concluded that this is having a serious impact on the nation’s businesses, with sick days, lost man hours, and reduced productivity, all contributing to a combined loss of millions of dollars in lost productivity every year. Not forgetting the increased potential for workplace injuries and safety concerns. 

According to the poll: 

• A third of Australians have called in sick to work due to lack of sleep; 
• 70 per cent of Aussies admit their professional productivity is negatively impacted from feeling tired; and 
• At least 167,000,000 man hours are lost every year as a result, equating to almost $5 billion in lost productivity. 

“The study gives us valuable insight not only into the sleeping habits of Australians but how sleep issues can impact directly on Australian commerce, with some alarming findings,” Sealy’s spokesperson Ross Gage says. 

Perhaps the most shocking result from the Sealy Sleep Census is that 38 per cent of respondents said they have fallen asleep at work or during a work meeting. 

If you are experiencing excessive tiredness at work it is important to identify the factors that are contributing to the fatigue (e.g. workload, roster, personal circumstances), discuss these issues with your employer, make changes as required, and seek professional help if necessary. 

An automated time management system can also assist organisations in implementing an effective Fatigue Management plan. 

By tracking and monitoring employee time and attendance data, a time management system allows you to analyse the amount of time your staff are spending at work, overtime hours, and associated productivity levels. Alerts can be set to notify Supervisors or HR when a particular employee is approaching their work hour limit, enabling them to adjust rosters and shifts accordingly. 

A time management system also automates compliance with current workplace legislation and modern awards, as well as any organisation-specific work rules, and can easily accommodate any new changes. This ensures that employees are only permitted to work if they satisfy all the associated rules, providing you with ‘peace of mind’ that they are alert to perform their duties in a safe manner. 

In addition, by automating annual reporting and maintaining a complete audit trail, a time management system ensures you have all the required information to hand in the unfortunate event of an accident and subsequent legal action. 

For more information on how an automated time management system can assist with effective fatigue management contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 831 (+61 2 8672 7888 outside Australia), email sales@mitrefinch.com.au or visit us online. 

Source: My Business: "Lack of sleep costing business millions in lost productivity"

Click here for more information on the Sealy Sleep Census