Truth or myth? There is nothing an employer can do to help an employee suffering with insomnia
Myth!
Many employers believe that if an employee is suffering from insomnia, there is very little they can do to help. However, when an employee is suffering from insomnia it is more than likely to affect their work and therefore the employer should take an interest in helping the employee to better sleep. When over-tired, employees can become irritable and forgetful which result in a loss of productivity. It is also likely that as fatigue sets in, the health and safety of the employee (and others) can be at risk. A stressful work situation may even be the root cause of the insomnia causing a vicious circle of poor sleep and continued worry about coping with the workload.
NHS lists the top causes of Insomnia in the UK as being;
- Stressful events like worrying about work, money or health; a loved one becoming ill or dying; and even noise and light
- Psychiatric problems
- Physical condition
- Drug & Substance abuse
- Medication
Insomnia is usually a symptom of a bigger problem. Additionally, not only does insomnia usually present itself as a symptom, it causes further health problems. Alison Daily of the US Clinical & Vocational Services says that prolonged insomnia can lead to diabetes, obesity, depression & heart attacks.
What can the employer do to help?
The NHS lists a number of ways to treat insomnia. Many of these are things that don’t require medication but depend on the insomniac adhering to a healthy routine to improve their sleep. A manager can help in the first instance by making sure that the employee is aware of these steps, which include fixed times for going to bed and getting up, and avoiding exercise, food, caffeine, alcohol etc. late at night.
If it is determined that the employee’s insomnia is caused by an underlying health problem, treatment should be arranged to cure the main cause. Specific insomnia treatments would then be given on the side, if necessary. If the employer provides staff with an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), this would be the perfect resource to refer an insomniac employee to. The independent counsellors can help the employee determine the cause of their insomnia and offer advice as to where to get help. If the cause of the insomnia is work-related, the manager should take time to understand what is causing the stress and to decide together with the employee how best to solve the issue.
If the insomnia is classed as severe (lasting 4 weeks or more) a GP or Occupational Health (OH) Physician, where necessary, can refer the insomniac to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). These therapies range from treatments for simple relaxation training to complex Biofeedback Therapy. CBT is available via the NHS but if the wait times for treatment are lengthy, the employer may consider providing the therapy privately to fast track recovery.
If you want to find out more about offering your employees EAP or OH services, please get in touch!