Employees 'coming close to sleep at work'

Staff may be suffering at work from sleep deprivation as recent statistics show almost a third have nearly fallen asleep at work.

Figures from the 2008 Sleep in America poll reveal 29 per cent of employees fell asleep, or came close do doing so, in the past month, phillyBurbs.com reports.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) study also found that sleepiness causes 12 per cent of employees to be late for work, while a quarter will drive to the office feeling drowsy.

Dr Greg Belenky, a member of the NSF board of directors, said: "Even mild sleep loss, losing 40 minutes a day for five to seven days, will degrade performance over time."

He added that a lack of sleep can affect mental processes involved in thinking and remembering.

Earlier this month, the Sleep Council in the UK urged workers to get a proper night's sleep in a quality bed rather than catnap in the office.

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