Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 1: Chronic sleep deprivation is emerging as a serious threat to employee health, workplace productivity and overall business performance, with experts warning that inadequate sleep can have far-reaching consequences for both individuals and organisations.
According to Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director and Chief Health Officer at International SOS, modern work culture has blurred the boundaries between professional and personal life, making quality sleep increasingly difficult to achieve.
Long working hours, tight deadlines, hybrid work models, late-night meetings, constant digital connectivity, lengthy commutes and excessive screen time are among the key factors contributing to poor sleep, he said.
"Sleep, or rather the lack of it, is rapidly emerging as a credible threat to workforce health, productivity and business performance," Dr Vora said.
Health experts recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of quality sleep each night. Prolonged sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, anxiety, depression and weakened immunity.
Dr Vora also noted that inadequate sleep can increase appetite, reduce motivation to exercise and contribute to a cycle of declining physical and mental health.
Beyond personal well-being, poor sleep also affects workplace performance. Employees who are sleep-deprived often struggle with concentration, decision-making, creativity, learning and problem-solving, leading to reduced productivity despite being physically present at work.
"Even a small amount of sleep loss over a period of time impairs attention, concentration, cognitive performance, learning, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving," he said.
The expert added that poor sleep and mental health are closely interconnected, with sleep deprivation increasing stress, anxiety, irritability and emotional exhaustion, while existing mental health conditions can further disrupt healthy sleep patterns.
In sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction, mining and transportation, fatigue can also become a major safety concern by increasing the risk of accidents and operational errors.
Dr Vora urged organisations to treat sleep as a core pillar of employee well-being alongside nutrition, physical activity and mental health.
He recommended promoting awareness about healthy sleep habits, maintaining realistic workloads, limiting unnecessary after-hours communication and encouraging employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
He also stressed that leadership plays an important role in fostering a culture where adequate rest is recognised as essential for sustained performance rather than being viewed as a sign of reduced commitment.
Experts believe that investing in employees' sleep health can improve overall well-being, enhance productivity and support long-term organisational success.