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Creating a Workplace That Supports Sleep Health

August 22, 2025

We often talk about healthy eating and exercise in the workplace, but one area that’s just as important for wellbeing—and often overlooked—is sleep. Poor sleep doesn’t just leave people tired; it affects memory, focus, judgement, reaction times, and even mood.1 In fact, being moderately sleep deprived can impair performance as much as having a blood alcohol level of 0.05%.2 For workplaces, this can mean lost productivity, more errors, higher absenteeism, and increased risk of accidents.3–5

The good news? Employers and employees can both take simple, practical steps to support better sleep health.

Why Sleep Matters at Work

When staff are well-rested, they’re more alert, safer, and more productive. Conversely, poor sleep has been linked to serious health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.6 It also impacts mental health, contributing to stress, irritability, and anxiety.7 For businesses, inadequate sleep costs Australia an estimated $17.9 billion in productivity losses each year.8 Clearly, sleep is not a luxury—it’s a workplace priority.

Everyday Steps for Better Sleep

The National Sleep Foundation’s “Best Slept Self” framework offers six simple strategies that anyone can adopt:9

  • Light – Spend time in natural light during the day.
  • Exercise – Aim for 30 minutes of activity, five days a week.
  • Mealtimes – Stick to regular eating patterns.
  • Avoid – Limit nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals before bed.
  • Wind-down – Create a consistent bedtime routine, with regular sleep and wake times.
  • Environment – Switch off devices an hour before bed and sleep in a cool, dark, quiet space.

These are small changes, but together they make a big difference to sleep quality and overall health.

How Workplaces Can Help

Employers have a unique role to play. Supporting sleep health doesn’t have to be expensive—it’s about creating a culture that values rest. Some ideas include:10,11

  • Education: Share resources about sleep hygiene or invite a sleep expert for a seminar.
  • Flexibility: Where possible, offer flexible hours or hybrid work to suit different sleep needs.
  • Environment: Provide access to natural light, encourage breaks, and avoid late-night emails.
  • Wellness initiatives: Consider wellness days, counselling services, or meditation app subscriptions.

Even simple actions—like managers modelling healthy work hours—send a powerful message that rest is valued.10

When Sleep Problems Run Deeper

For some, poor sleep is more than lifestyle-related. Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, or restless leg syndrome are common but often undiagnosed. For example, one in five Australians has moderate to severe sleep apnea, yet most remain untreated.11 Symptoms can include loud snoring, gasping, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.11

These conditions can be effectively managed with the right treatment—such as CPAP therapy for sleep apnea—but only if they’re diagnosed.11 That’s why awareness is critical.

The Bottom Line

A well-rested workforce is a healthier, happier, and more productive one. By making sleep a workplace priority, employers support not only their staff’s wellbeing but also the success of their business.

If you regularly struggle with poor sleep, excessive fatigue, or symptoms like loud snoring or difficulty concentrating, don’t ignore it. Speak to your doctor—good sleep is essential for both your health and your work.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

  1. Khan, Mohammad, and Hamdan Al-Jahdali. “The Consequences of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance.” King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, vol. 28, no. 2, 28 Apr. 2023, pp. 91–99, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10155483/, https://doi.org/10.17712/nsj.2023.2.20220108.
  2. Williamson, A M, and Anne-Marie Feyer. “Moderate Sleep Deprivation Produces Impairments in Cognitive and Motor Performance Equivalent to Legally Prescribed Levels of Alcohol Intoxication.” Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 57, no. 10, 2000, pp. 649–55, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10984335, https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.57.10.649.
  3. “Sickness Absenteeism Is Associated with Sleep Problems Independent of Sleep Disorders.” Sleephealthfoundation.org.au, Sleep Health Foundation, 20 Sept. 2023, www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/news-and-articles/sickness-absenteeism-is-associated-with-sleep-problems-independent-of-sleep-disorders.
  4. Uehli, Katrin, et al. “Sleep Problems and Work Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Sleep Medicine Reviews, vol. 18, no. 1, Feb. 2014, pp. 61–73, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079213000087, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2013.01.004.
  5. Saksvik-Lehouillier, Ingvild, et al. “Mild to Moderate Partial Sleep Deprivation Is Associated with Increased Impulsivity and Decreased Positive Affect in Young Adults.” Sleep, vol. 43, no. 10, 19 Apr. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa078.
  6. Suni, Eric. “How Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Heart.” Sleep Foundation, 25 Apr. 2024, www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-deprivation/how-sleep-deprivation-affects-your-heart.
  7. Chong, Zhang. “The Influence of Sleep on Cognitive Function and Mental Health.” Perspective Neurosci. Psych. Open Access, vol. 7, no. 4, 2024, pp. 245–246, www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/the-influence-of-sleep-on-cognitive-function-and-mental-health.pdf, https://doi.org/10.47532/npoa.2024.7(4).245-246.
  8. “Asleep on the Job: Costs of Inadequate Sleep in Australia | Special Sleep Reports.” Sleephealthfoundation.org.au, 2016, www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/special-sleep-reports/asleep-on-the-job-costs-of-inadequate-sleep-in-australia?linkId=16163154.
  9. “National Sleep Foundation Releases Recommendations to Be Your Best Slept Self® This Summer.” National Sleep Foundation, 14 June 2022, www.thensf.org/national-sleep-foundation-releases-recommendations-to-be-your-best-slept-self-this-summer/.
  10. “How Employers Can Support Sleep Hygiene.” Allianzcare.com, 2021, www.allianzcare.com/en/employers/business-hub/hr-blogs/how-employers-can-support-sleep-hygiene.html.
  11. Redeker, Nancy S., et al. “Workplace Interventions to Promote Sleep Health and an Alert, Healthy Workforce.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, vol. 15, no. 04, 2019, pp. 649–657, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6457507/, https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.7734.
  12. Soenen, Stijn, et al. “Sleep Health Primary Care Clinical Resource.” Australian Journal of General Practice, vol. 53, no. 6, 1 June 2024, pp. 349–355, https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-03-23-6779.