Sleep deprivation is quietly becoming the biggest workplace health crisis: Experts

Sleep is something most of us take for granted until we don't get enough of it. A late-night work call, endless scrolling before bed or responding to "just one more email" can easily eat into our sleep. While missing a few hours occasionally may seem harmless, experts say chronic sleep deprivation is quietly becoming one of the biggest threats to employee health and workplace productivity.

According to Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director and Chief Health Officer, International SOS, poor sleep is no longer just a personal issue. It has become a major workplace wellbeing concern that affects physical health, mental wellbeing, productivity and even organisational performance.

Why are employees sleeping less?

Modern work culture has dramatically changed the way people sleep. Long working hours, tight deadlines, hybrid work, late-night meetings with global teams and the expectation of being constantly available have blurred the boundaries between work and personal life. Add to that long commutes, caregiving responsibilities and hours spent looking at mobile phones and laptops before bedtime, and it's easy to understand why quality sleep is becoming harder to achieve. "As Dr Vikram Vora explains, 'Sleep, or rather the lack of it, is rapidly emerging as a credible threat to workforce health, productivity and business performance.'"

Sleep affects much more than energy levels

Many people think sleep simply helps us feel refreshed the next morning. In reality, it plays a much bigger role. A good night's sleep allows the body to recover physically, strengthens immunity, regulates emotions and helps the brain process information efficiently. Most adults require between seven and nine hours of quality sleep every night.

When sleep becomes inadequate for weeks or months, the risks increase significantly. According to Dr Vora, chronic sleep deprivation is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, depression and weakened immunity. It can also increase appetite, reduce motivation to exercise and create a cycle of declining health.

Poor sleep hurts workplace performance

The impact of poor sleep doesn't stop at personal health. Employees who don't get enough sleep often struggle with concentration, decision-making, creativity and problem-solving. Even mild sleep loss over time can make it harder to learn new skills or focus on complex tasks. "Even a small amount of sleep loss over a



period of time impairs attention, concentration, cognitive performance, learning, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving," says Dr Vora. This can lead to "presenteeism" when employees are physically present at work but perform well below their full potential.

Mental health and sleep are closely connected

Sleep and mental wellbeing influence each other. Poor sleep can increase stress, anxiety and depression, while existing mental health challenges often make it even harder to sleep well. Dr Vora notes that sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to experience irritability, emotional exhaustion and difficulty communicating effectively with colleagues, all of which can affect teamwork and leadership.

It can even become a safety issue

In industries such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, mining and transportation, fatigue can have serious consequences. Slower reaction times and reduced alertness increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries. Even office workers are not immune, as tiredness can contribute to poor judgement, operational errors and cybersecurity mistakes.

What can employers do?

Experts believe organisations have an important role to play in improving sleep health.

Dr Vora recommends treating sleep as an essential pillar of workplace wellbeing alongside nutrition, physical activity and mental health. Creating awareness around good sleep hygiene, setting realistic workloads, discouraging unnecessary after-hours communication and respecting employees' recovery time can all make a meaningful difference. Leadership also matters. When managers demonstrate healthy work-life boundaries by avoiding unnecessary late-night emails and taking adequate leave themselves, they help build a workplace culture where rest is recognised as a contributor to better performance instead of being seen as a lack of commitment.

Sleep is an investment, not a luxury

For years, organisations have focused on fitness programmes, healthy eating and mental wellbeing initiatives. Experts now say sleep deserves equal attention. Getting enough quality sleep isn't simply about waking up refreshed. It helps employees stay healthier, think more clearly, perform better and remain productive over the long term.

As Dr Vikram Vora concludes, promoting healthy sleep habits may be one of the most valuable investments organisations can make for both their employees and their business.