Malaysian workers not getting enough sleep

Over a third of Malaysian workers (38 per cent) reported that they did not get enough sleep in order to fit personal and work commitments, either by waking up too early or by burning the midnight oil, according to a survey.

Conducted by Regus, the world's largest provider of flexible workplaces, the survey showed that although flexible working was highlighted as a way to reduce commuting, creating more hours in the day for sleep or family life and improving productivity and staff retention, only 60 per cent of firms were rewarding management for encouraging the creation of a flexible workforce.

"Workers also highlighted that a shorter commute (31 per cent) and greater flexibility of location (38 per cent) would give them more time to spend with their families as well as to catch some extra shut-eye.

"Hence, businesses can also benefit from introducing greater flexibility which is reported to improve productivity (72 per cent) and help retain staff (82 percent)," said Regus country manager, T.Vijayakumar in a statement today.

The findings were based on interviews with more than 24,000 business-people from over 90 countries.

Vijayakumar said lack of sleep was clearly harmful to workers' health and happiness with long working hours closely linked to heart disease.

The respondents highlighted that a shorter commute and more flexibility over work location would help them spend more time with their families and spelling an end to sleepless nights filled with catching up on work or personal tasks that could not be squeezed into the day, he added.

"Globally, 29 per cent of workers are sleeping less than they wish to fit all their commitments."

He strongly felt that allowing employees to work closer to home in professional and fully efficient environments could have an important impact on family life as well as improving their work productivity.