Dive Brief:
- Employers are feeling more concerned that their workers are not getting enough sleep and that it is affecting job performance, according to a Huffington Post article.
- The Huffington Post reports that nap rooms are a perk at some employers (Google, Zappos, Ben & Jerry’s and The Huffington Post, too), but most employers have ignored the "culture of stress and overwork."
- That could be changing, as McKinsey, one of the world's largest consulting firms, has put out a report on wellness that mentions nap rooms as part of an overall wellness strategy, according to the article. The irony is many of the large consultancies (along with law firms and other professional services firms) have workforces that work long hours.
Dive Insight:
Els van der Helm, a sleep specialist at McKinsey who co-authored the firm's report, told Huffington Post that many still view sleep as something that interferes with work. For example, she notes that nap rooms, even when they exist, carry a certain "taboo" aspect about them.
McKinsey's report found that 83% of business leaders said their companies weren’t doing enough to emphasize sleep and another 36% said their organizations didn’t allow them to prioritize getting a good night’s rest.
While McKinsey would not tell Huffington Post whether it has implemented sleep programs for its own employees or not, the article explains that traditional organizations, not just tech firms, are getting involved by adding perks such as flexible work schedules and flexible time off.
Additionally, research has shown that napping at work actually boosts productivity.