ALMOST two thirds of South East workers claim tiredness negatively impacts on productivity at work, research has revealed.

The study of 1,123 workers by Willis Towers Watson also found that more than a third of workers are struggling to get a good night’s sleep because of their job.

Of the respondents who struggled to nod off, more than half cited job worries as the main reason for sleeplessness, followed by difficulty in winding down after a stressful day at the office, early starts and late-night working.

The research closely follows the launch of the world’s largest sleep study, which made headlines last month after a recruitment drive for 100,000 volunteers.

Scientists in Western University, Ontario, hope the study will help them to gain a better understanding of the effects of sleep deprivation on brain function.

Mike Blake, a director at Willis Towers Watson Health and Benefits, said: “The work environment is no longer confined to the office with the stress of heavy workloads creeping in to home life.

“Whilst companies may benefit from a perceived ‘increase’ in productivity in the short-term, ongoing stress, coupled with lack of sleep, can risk having an overall negative impact on operational performance.

“Fatigue will become a much more prevalent and serious workplace issue that employers can ill afford to ignore.”