Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep traits and work-related pay, and performance

Summary

Study objectives:

To examine cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between sleep traits and work-related pay, and performance.

Methods:

We use data from adult respondents to the UK Household Longitudinal Survey, to relate sleep duration, and sleep quality to work-related pay and two presenteeism measures.

Results:

We find short and long sleep durations, as well as poor quality sleep are associated with lower pay, and worse presenteeism, however only relationships between sleep and presenteeism are robust to inclusion of additional covariates and to using longitudinal methods.

Conclusions:

Suboptimal sleep traits are associated with lower work-related pay, and performance, though this relationship is considerably more robust for presenteeism. Priority should be given to policies promoting better sleep health such as flexible working hours and better shift work schedules.