Subtle changes can re-energise the workplace
It’s common for employees to feel tired and less productive during Ramadan. Managers are either observing the holy period or managing people who are. Fasting during Ramadan usually affects sleep patterns as people’s daily schedules change, with suhour being consumed before sunrise, meaning people are waking at approximately 4am, and then having iftar after sunset followed by suhour. When people have busy and demanding lifestyles, sleep is often the first thing to be cut.
This is particularly apparent during the holy month, when fasting and the change of sleep patterns can have a great impact on your body and mind more than you realise.
A recent study was carried out by Ashridge Business School of more than 1,000 professionals to help understand what enables executives to perform at their peak and what they can do to enhance the working lives of managers, teams and organisations.
The study revealed that Generation Y workers, ages 2034, report the greatest negative effects from sleep loss, with 82 per cent saying they were unable to focus in a meeting.
Seventy-two per cent found it more difficult to generate ideas and 60 per cent gave up on tasks more easily. It also went on to explore the link between lack of sleep and well-being, with more than 76 per cent feeling lethargic when they didn’t get a good night’s sleep, 35 per cent having back pain and 57 per cent being prone to common colds and viruses.
However, it is not just the physical effects of sleep deprivation we should be concerned about. Emotionally, the most widespread effect of sleep loss felt by the professionals within the study were 84 per cent of 20-34 year olds feeling more irritable and 77 per cent becoming more frustrated if a project is not going to plan.
People also reported feeling more stressed, having less energy to socialise with friends and family, and being less able to see things from others’ point of view.
Generation Y workers, aged 20-34, report the greatest negative effects from sleep loss, with 82 per cent saying they were unable to focus in a meeting. Working long hours, across time zones, increasing use of mobile technology and the demands and complexity of corporate life means professionals can find it progressively difficult to get the right amount of sleep.
Optimal amount
The average amount of sleep required to support an adult’s normal biological and sociological functioning is between 7-8.5 hours. Obtaining the optimal amount of sleep needed is particularly challenging for modern executives.
Working long hours, across time zones, increasing use of mobile technology and the demands and complexity of corporate life mean professionals can find it progressively difficult to get the right amount of sleep.
There are a number of different ways to help manage the effects of sleep loss among employees and colleagues, as well as actions that can be taken to help prevent inefficiency in the workplace.
1. Raise awareness: Managers raising awareness of the impact of sleep loss within an organisation create a safe environment for others to recognise that sleep may be affecting their performance. Doing so also raises the legitimacy of sleep management in the eyes of less senior colleagues, which can make people feel more comfortable about seeking support.
2. Careful scheduling of tasks: If it is known that a colleague is having difficulty sleeping, try scheduling tasks that require creativity or sustained attention either earlier in the week, or tackling such tasks when they are feeling more energised.
3. Segmentation: Break complex tasks into smaller, manageable chunks when feeling more energised. This means that when you or your team are feeling the effects of sleep loss, you are able to focus on the smaller, more manageable tasks at hand.
4. Understanding: Appreciate that individuals need differing amounts of sleep to function at their optimal level. Ask your team how much sleep they need and how sleep loss affects them in the workplace so that additional support may be provided. Accept that some people can manage well with less sleep than others, and that this is not a sign of strength or weakness, just different physiology.
During this time, it is essential to look out for signs that you, or a colleague, aren’t getting enough sleep and it is important to make sure you give yourself enough time to rest during the waking hours and support colleagues to manage their time at work too.
Dr. Vicki Culpin is the Dean of Faculty and Director of Research at Ashridge Business School. Ayiesha Russell is a Researcher at ABS.