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A new study led by University of South Florida psychologist Claire Smith has found that sedentary work and irregular work hours are major contributors to poor sleep health, with a particular impact on insomnia and the need for “catch-up sleep.” The research, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, surveyed over 1,000 employees over a decade and revealed alarming trends among the modern workforce.
With an estimated 80% of workers engaged in highly sedentary jobs, the study highlights the growing risk these employees face in developing insomnia symptoms. The findings indicate that sedentary workers experience a 37% higher risk of insomnia, while those working nontraditional hours—such as night shifts—are 66% more likely to engage in frequent napping or sleeping in on weekends to compensate for lost sleep.
“The way we are designing work poses serious, long-term threats to healthy sleep,” said Smith. “Healthy sleep is about more than just getting eight hours; it’s about falling asleep easily, staying asleep, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.” She emphasized the importance of companies recognizing the sleep risks posed by their work designs and taking steps to mitigate them for the well-being of their employees.
The research, which utilized data from the national Midlife in the United States study, categorized employees’ sleep health into three groups: good sleepers, catch-up sleepers, and insomnia-like sleepers. The study found that sedentary work was closely linked to insomnia-like symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, interrupted sleep, and excessive daytime tiredness. Employees with irregular work schedules were more likely to fall into the “catch-up sleeper” category, where they rely on extra sleep over the weekends to compensate for poor sleep during the week.
Smith’s research suggests that incorporating physical movement during the workday and minimizing after-hours work could help workers maintain healthier sleep patterns. The study also pointed to the long-term effects of poor sleep health, with workers who develop insomnia symptoms due to sedentary work or erratic schedules facing the likelihood of continuing those issues for years. In fact, 90% of those identified as insomnia-like sleepers in the study reported persistent sleep problems a decade later.
“This is particularly important for both employers and employees, since poor sleep health can lead to decreased productivity, poor well-being, and serious health consequences,” said Smith. She believes that redesigning work environments with sleep health in mind could be key to improving overall worker health and preventing long-term sleep-related issues.
The study stresses the need for workplace interventions that approach sleep health in a nuanced, individualized way, rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all solution. This could involve adjusting work hours, promoting movement during the day, or even redesigning workspaces to reduce sedentary behavior.
As the work environment continues to evolve, the findings of this study underscore the urgent need for changes that prioritize the sleep health of employees. Healthy sleep is not just a luxury—it’s an essential component of a productive, healthy workforce.
For more details, refer to the full study: Claire E. Smith et al, “Designing Work for Healthy Sleep: A Multidimensional, Latent Transition Approach to Employee Sleep Health,” Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2024. DOI: 10.1037/ocp0000386.
