Researchers from Ball State University report more than one in three U.S. workers do not get enough sleep. Furthermore, they say the problem has gotten worse since 2010.
A National Health Interview Survey of more than 150,000 working adults found 35.6 percent received fewer than seven hours of sleep a night in 2018, up from 30.9 percent in 2010. Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Getting too little sleep rose from:
- 2 percent to 38.3 percent for women
- 5 percent to 35.5 percent for men
- 6 percent to 46.5 percent for African-Americans
- 5 percent to 35.3 percent for Asian-Americans
- 2 percent to 34.1 percent for Caucasian Americans
More Workers are Tired – and in Danger
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, lack of sleep:
- Increases the likelihood of an accident, major injuries and fatalities
- Impairs motor skills, not unlike drinking alcohol
- Causes poor judgment, leading to bad decisions and risks
- Impairs memory, and the ability to focus and retain information
- Makes it more difficult to deal with stress
- Decreases productivity through reduced efficiency, higher injury and workers’ compensation rates and increased absenteeism
- Has long-term health effects, including obesity, worsening diabetes, epilepsy and other conditions, heart disease, digestion problems, depression, certain cancers, reproductive problems and sleep disorders
What’s a sleep-deprived worker to do? Here are some helpful tips:
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
- Abstain from caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
- Limit napping.
- Wind down before bed (avoid noise and the use of electronic devices).
- In extreme cases, seek help from a health care professional for potential sleep disorders.
Injured on the Job? Wake Up and Hire an Attorney.
If you have been injured in a work accident related to lack of sleep, you will have a tough time proving your case through a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer is not going to accept responsibility for the long hours you work, claiming getting the proper amount of rest is your responsibility. As you attempt to recover from injuries, unable to work and provide for your family, an insurance company may pressure you to accept a lowball settlement because they know you are financially desperate.
The Law Offices of Richard A. Jaffe, LLC, has been handling workers’ compensation and Social Security disability cases like yours since 1994. Headquartered in Philadelphia, we aggressively pursue justice and financial compensation for clients throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
We know how to hold employers responsible and to secure fair settlements from insurance companies. We also know how to treat you with respect while you heal from your injuries. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.