No more 'rise & grind' | Improving your employees' sleep could save UK economy £34bn

Supporting workers to overcome sleep issues could increase productivity and bolster the UK economy, new research reveals.

The study from RAND Europe, funded by Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Switzerland, which was published in-light of World Sleep Day on March 17, suggests that through helping workers with chronic insomnia disorder (CID) sickness absence could be reduced, saving the UK economy £34bn.

Those who conducted the study are calling for more significant action to be taken to tackle CID and the negative consequences it has on sufferers and society. CID sufferers experience various symptoms related to disturbed sleep, this includes lying awake at night, waking up several times at night and finding it difficult to get to sleep.

The report found that people with CID would be willing to trade up to 14% of their annual household income to get a good night’s sleep. In a different study conducted by Idorsia Pharmaceuticals UK, 80% of respondents reported their insomnia impacted their performance at work, including their concentration and their ability to regulate stress.