Insomnia symptoms and their association with workplace productivity: cross-sectional and pre-post intervention analyses from a large multinational manufacturing company

Colin A Espie; Brent Pawlecki; Dickon Waterfield; Kit Fitton; Michael Radocchia; Annemarie I Luik

doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2018.03.003

Insomnia symptoms and their association with workplace productivity: cross-sectional and pre-post intervention analyses from a large multinational manufacturing company

Sleep Health. 2018 Jun;4(3):307-312. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2018.03.003. Epub 2018 Apr 23.

Authors

Colin A Espie¹, Brent Pawlecki², Dickon Waterfield³, Kit Fitton³, Michael Radocchia³, Annemarie I Luik⁴

Affiliations

¹ Sleep & Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Big Health Inc, San Francisco, USA. Electronic address: colin.espie@ndcn.ox.ac.uk.
² The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, OH, USA.
³ Big Health Inc, San Francisco, USA.
⁴ Sleep & Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Big Health Inc, San Francisco, USA.

PMID: 29776626
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2018.03.003

Abstract

Background: Symptoms of insomnia are common and might impact work productivity. We investigated the relationship between insomnia symptoms and workplace productivity in a global manufacturing company.

Methods: Within an uncontrolled, cross-sectional study, employees from a US-based company were invited to participate in an online evaluation comprising the Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) measuring symptoms of insomnia (high score indicating better sleep), 2 items of the Work Productivity and Impairment Index (WPAI) measuring 'presenteeism' and 'absenteeism' (high score indicating loss of work productivity) and 1 item of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) from January 2015 onwards. Pre-post, within-subject data were collected to preliminary test effects of 'sleep tips' and digital cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT).

Results: In 2798 employees [72% male; mean age 46.3(SD11.8) yrs] sleep was poorest in plant staff [SCI = 3.70(2.73)], then retail staff [4.34(3.02)], then office staff [4.95(2.83): overall F(2,2786) = 43.7, P < .0001]. More insomnia symptoms were associated with WPAI presenteeism (r = -.489, P < .0001; R² = 23.9%). Insomnia symptoms also were the strongest predictor of work-related productivity, with stress only contributing a further 9%. A regression model for 'absenteeism' was statistically significant but of limited predictive value (R² = 3.4%). In a sample of 214 employees with pre- and post-intervention data, the SCI of those exposed to sleep tips significantly increased from 5.36(3.28) to 6.01(3.22), [t(123) = -3.02, P = .003] and from 3.08(2.24) to 6.03(2.97) for those who accessed dCBT [t(89) = -8.40, P < .001).

Conclusion: Symptoms of insomnia are associated with poor work productivity. Additionally, targeted insomnia interventions may offer potential to improve sleep and work productivity.

Keywords: Insomnia; Occupational health; Sleep; Work productivity.

MeSH terms

Adult
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
Cross-Sectional Studies
Efficiency*
Female
Humans
Internationality
Male
Manufacturing Industry
Middle Aged
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / psychology*
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / therapy*
Treatment Outcome
Work / psychology*