36% of Bored Brits Fall Asleep at Work

Long working hours, stuffy offices and summer celebrations are taking their toll on the nationís workforce with over a third of Brits admitting to falling asleep on the job. In fact, 36% of Brits have fallen asleep at work and 39% admit that they have found it a big challenge to stay awake, according to a recent survey by Monster UK.

Need a toilet break to stay awake? Are you the sleepy-head who thinks youíre in bed? The Monster Meter asked, ìHave you ever fallen asleep at work?î 3,266 Brits placed a vote, revealing:

39% (1298 votes) ìNo ñ but sometimes itís a big challenge to stay awakeî
25% (836 votes) ìNo ñ neverî
20% (641 votes) ìYes ñ at my deskî
9% (293 votes) ìYes ñ during a meetingî
7% (198 votes) ìYes ñ in the bathroomî

So why are people nodding off at work? For many, the simple explanation may be lack of sleep. A survey carried out by GMTV found that more than 65% of people said they had trouble sleeping and a third said they got less than five hours a night. In the survey of 7,000 people, respondents complained of being kept awake by partners who snored, ground their teeth and talked in their sleep.

Lack of sleep is enough to lead to fatigue in the workplace, but also factor in the warm weather, late nights socialising and soaking up excitement from the World Cup, and itís hardly surprising that people find themselves catching forty winks at work.

But a sleepy workforce can also be a sign of more serious issues, such as lack of interest in a job owing to non-motivated, non-challenged and maybe even over-worked staff.

ìStaff sleeping during working hours will have a negative impact on any business. The danger is that productivity levels and quality of work will be affected,î explains Alan Townsend, COO for Monster UK & Ireland. ìWorkers should be encouraged to take breaks throughout the day. Itís also important for employers to provide a stimulating environment and to constantly look at ways to raise morale and motivate workers with challenging tasks.î

Monsterís Top Tips - Sleepy-Head Survival

You snooze, you lose
Before your head hits the desk, think of the consequences. Falling asleep in front of your boss or clients is not a great career move. Neither is missing a meeting because youíre sleeping. If you feel yourself nodding off, take direct action to prevent it.

Give your body a boost
Get some fresh air by opening a window or going for a walk. Caffeine and sugary food will give you a short-term boost of energy. Also make sure you drink plenty of water - dehydration can lead to fatigue.

Power nap
For some, a power nap may be the only way to counter sleepiness. Take a power nap to boost mental and physical energy, but use common sense and choose an appropriate time and place. A power nap should be a maximum of 30 minutes and be aware of the risk of waking up more tired than before.

Old fashioned beauty sleep
The best way to stay on top form is to have at least 7 or 8 hours sleep a night. By having a proper nights sleep you will not only feel awake but you will work better, feel more motivated and of course look great!