Persistent fatigue caused by insufficient sleep is a common and growing problem among working-age people, but sleep deprivation is rarely discussed in the workplace. According to Jenni Tuomilehto's doctoral dissertation at the University of Vaasa , Finland, workplaces should not only encourage open discussions about sleep but also develop shared strategies to prevent the challenges that chronic fatigue may bring.
Although wellbeing at work is a frequently discussed topic, the impact of insufficient sleep on employees' performance is often overlooked. According to Jenni Tuomilehto, who will defend her dissertation at the University of Vaasa on 8 April, sleep deprivation affects all workplaces. However, discussing it with colleagues can even feel like a taboo – making it a topic many do not have the courage to bring up in the workplace.
In her doctoral dissertation in human resource management, Tuomilehto examines the effects of insufficient sleep on work performance and presents practical methods for identifying and managing the impacts of sleep deprivation in the workplace.
– Employees across various sectors encounter multidimensional performance issues stemming from a lack of sleep – the phenomenon is extremely common. Fatigue has negative effects on, for instance, productivity, decision-making ability, concentration, and emotion regulation. At the same time, the risks of illness, burnout, and accidents increase, Tuomilehto explains.
According to Tuomilehto, those suffering from insufficient sleep should enhance their coping, for example, by scheduling tasks based on their level of difficulty and slowing down their work pace.
– It is essential that employees have the support of the work community in dealing with the challenges brought on by a lack of sleep. Since insufficient sleep affects wellbeing and work performance at such a large scale, it should be possible to talk about it openly with colleagues and supervisors. This way, strategies for coping with fatigue can be developed together – for instance, by adjusting working hours, adding breaks, and changing work tasks. Good sleep should be a mutual value for the whole work community.
Practical tools for coping with a lack of sleep in the workplace
In her dissertation, Tuomilehto presents a theoretical model that helps identify fatigue caused by insufficient sleep. The model also provides supervisors, HR professionals, and others practical tools for maintaining work performance by preventing chronic fatigue and exhaustion.
– It is important that sleep is more effectively acknowledged as part of managing workplace wellbeing. Although individuals have means to manage their fatigue through personal resources, employer's support and jointly developed coping strategies are crucial, Tuomilehto emphasises.
The data for Tuomilehto's doctoral research consisted of individual interviews with 24 people, focusing on their personal experiences of how fatigue affects their work. All interviewees were employed in different sectors in Finland.
Doctoral dissertation
Tuomilehto, Jenni (2025) Puutteellisen unen heijastukset työhyvinvointiin ja työssä suoriutumiseen. Acta Wasaensia 554. Doctoral dissertation. University of Vaasa.
Public defence
The public examination of M.Sc. Jenni Tuomilehto's doctoral dissertation, "Puutteellisen unen heijastukset työhyvinvointiin ja työssä suoriutumiseen", will take place on Tuesday, 8 April 2025 at 12 noon (EEST / UCT+3) in the Nissi Auditorium at the University of Vaasa, Finland.
It is possible to participate in the defence also online: https://uwasa.zoom.us/j/69212036275?pwd=H7hCJ9JpiXH4ec1iyBQ69aBEePJaJQ.1
Password: 689243
Professor Pia Heilmann (University of Eastern Finland) will act as opponent and Professor (emer.) Riitta Viitala as custos.
