Flexible working: will it boost your time in bed?
08/12/2011
There are many theories about what contributes to a great night's sleep, but scientists in America now believe it could be down to the flexibility of conditions at work.
Sociologists from the University of Minnesota claim that a working environment allowing staff to be flexible in their day-to-day duties can have a positive impact on many aspects of their health - including sleep.
Bosses are encouraged by the researchers to assess their employees based on the quality of their output, rather than how many hours they spend in the office. Their conclusions were reached after collecting data from 608 workers at the Best Buy headquarters in Minnesota.
The employees were subjected to a new scheme back in 2005, which saw the focus shifted away from when and where work is completed and toward tangible results. This involved staff being able to change their working hours as they pleased, without consulting management.
Employees were found to spend nearly an hour more in their beds before work days and felt under less pressure to head into the office when they were sick. Not only this, they were more likely to visit a doctor when they needed to.
Dr Peter Mace, deputy medical director of Bupa Health and Wellbeing, explained that there are some key lessons that can be learnt from the study. "For example, we know that not getting enough sleep or exercise can contribute to stress and chronic disease. This study demonstrates the importance and benefit of taking measures in the work environment to ensure that all employees are able to achieve a good work-life balance," he commented.
Those involved in the study also reported fewer clashes between themselves and their families, which may help them sleep better when it comes to lights out.
So, address your work-life balance and who knows, you may even catch a few extra winks.
Posted by Michael Ewing
