Association Between Employee Sleep With Workplace Health and Economic Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Poor sleep can impact occupational functioning. The current study examines health risks, medical conditions, and workplace economic outcomes associated with self-reported hours of sleep among employees.

METHODS: Employees of a global financial services corporation were categorized on the basis of their self-reported average hours of sleep. Differences in health care costs, productivity measures, health risks, and medical conditions were analyzed by hours of sleep while controlling for confounding variables.

RESULTS: A strong U-shaped relationship between health care costs, short-term disability, absenteeism, and presenteeism (on-the-job work loss) and the hours of sleep was found among employees. The nadir of the "U" occurs for 7 or 8 hours of sleep per night.

CONCLUSIONS: Worksite wellness programs often address health risks and medical conditions and may benefit from incorporating sleep education.