1. Employee Fatigue Study 2017
March 2017
© GfK | 2017

2. Table of Contents 1 2 3 4 5 Background Key Findings Summary
3-5 2
Key Findings Summary
6-8 3
Detailed Findings
9-46 4
Weighting Plan
47-48 5
Demographics
49-50

3. Background

4. Background Who When How What
National Sample: General population adults 18+ years of age who are employed full- time (35+ hours per week)
Dates in field:
February 2017 to March 3, 2017
Sample Source:
Via 15 minute online survey
Objective:
The survey will help researchers better understand fatigue in the workplace.

5. Background Background
To sample the population, GfK sampled households from its KnowledgePanel, a probability-based web panel designed to be representative of the United States.
Once assigned to a survey, members receive a notification letting them know there is a new survey available for them to take. This notification contains a link that sends them to the survey questionnaire. No login name or password is required. The field period depends on the client’s needs and can range anywhere from a few hours to several weeks.
As a standard, reminders to non-responders were sent on day three and day seven of the field period.
While 2010 cases qualified for the main survey, 4055 were sampled for the main survey; with a final Incidence Rate of 82% and Response Rate of 60%.

6. Key Findings Summary

7. Key Findings Summary
A large percentage of employed adults are at risk for workplace fatigue due to two key factors: job demands and lack of proper sleep. While employees agree on the importance of sleep, less than half are getting enough quality sleep.
Overall, about 4 out of 5 employed adults (83%) are at some risk for workplace fatigue, with 1 in 5 adults (22%) at a High/Very High Risk. The demand of their job is a large reason so many employees are at risk.
4 out of 5 adults regularly perform mentally demanding, repetitive, or physically demanding tasks (81%)
2 out of 5 adults work long hours (44%)
2 out of 5 adults do not get enough sleep during the week (43%)
1 out of 5 adults work more than 50 hours throughout the week (22%)
1 out of 5 adults work non-daytime shifts (17%).
While 49% of employed adults say their sleep quality was very good or good in the past week, 43% slept less than 7 hours during the typical weekday. Likewise, 83% believe that getting good sleep is important, but less than half get good sleep (46%) or enough sleep to feel their best (43%) on a regular basis. One factor contributing to lack of sleep/staying asleep is stress from work (30%).
At GfK, we believe that businesses can be successful if they understand what and why consumers buy. And if they can translate those insights into action.
They can optimize consumers’ purchase journey if they use the most relevant data to gain the best insights on consumers’ purchasing decisions.
And they can do all this in the most efficient way by applying proven market research approaches in innovative ways.

8. Key Findings Summary
There is concern on how sleep affects their lives, but they do not feel fatigue affects their workplace safety. Though they do agree that fatigue is a safety risk in general, they feel their employers may not be on the same page. One way employers could potentially help is to provide knowledge about factors that cause workplace fatigue, as current knowledge is mixed.
A majority are concerned with how sleep affects their job performance (63%), and one-quarter regularly feels tired while at work. However, they do not feel that their safety is at risk due to either their own tiredness (88%) or someone else’s tiredness (86%). This shows in the small percentage that have experienced workplace accidents due to fatigue (8%)
And while most adults agree that tired workers are less productive (78%) or put safety at risk (70%) in general, they are less likely to agree that they are comfortable asking for a break (49%). They also do not feel as confident that their employer agrees that fatigue is a safety issue (34%) or cares about their rest (28%).
Only 31% know all the factors that can cause workplace fatigue, which shows that there is some room for improvement in overall knowledge. Likewise, there is some incorrect knowledge that working a night shift is a higher risk for fatigue (57%), while a little more than one-third think you can drive for longer durations without rest.
At GfK, we believe that businesses can be successful if they understand what and why consumers buy. And if they can translate those insights into action.
They can optimize consumers’ purchase journey if they use the most relevant data to gain the best insights on consumers’ purchasing decisions.
And they can do all this in the most efficient way by applying proven market research approaches in innovative ways.

9. Detailed Findings

10. Most employed adults are at some risk for workplace fatigue
While only 2% of employed adults are at a Very High Risk of workplace fatigue, 20% are at a High Risk and 61% are at a Moderate Risk.
Low Risk
17%
Moderate Risk
61%
High Risk
20%
Very High Risk 2%
Frequency of Risk Categories
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

11. 81% regularly perform activities putting them at risk
Breaking this out further, 63% of employed adults always/often perform mentally demanding tasks, 44% perform repetitive tasks, and 26% perform physically demanding tasks.
Risk (Net)
26%
Total Risk
81%
Risk (Net)
44%
Risk (Net)
63%
53%
28%
13%
Q34. Thinking about your regular job, about how often do you find yourself performing activities that are…?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

12. 44% work long hours that put them at risk
A little less than half of employed adults (44%) work at least 9 hours in a typical work day. However, the average number of hours worked among all employed adults is bordering 9 hours (8.78 hours).
No Risk
Risk
Q28. First of all, how long is your typical work day in hours?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

13. With almost one-quarter working more than 50 hours a week
Even though 44% of employed adults work 9 or more hours in a typical workday, only 22% work more than 50 hours a week. However, 66% work between 40 and 50 hours in a week, with the average number close to 44 hours (43.95).
No Risk
78%
Risk
Q30. Thinking about your job, how many total hours do you work in a typical week?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

14. While a smaller percentage work at-risk shifts
A majority of employed adults (83%) work Daytime shifts; however, 17% work shifts that could put them at risk for fatigue in the workplace.
Risk
17%
No Risk
83%
Q14. What hours or shift do you typically work?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

15. Likewise, a little less than half do not get enough sleep during a weekday
Despite a majority working Daytime shifts, 43% of employed adults still do not get enough sleep during the weekday (with 13% only sleeping 5 hours at most). The percentage of those lacking sleep does drop to 17% during the weekend.
Risk
Risk
Mean # of Hours Slept During Weekday
6.66
Mean # of Hours Slept During Weekend
7.67
No Risk
No Risk
Q23. About how many hours of sleep do you typically get on a… weekday/weekend?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

16. Which could possibly be due to work stress keeping them awake
Stress (37%) is the most common factor that contributes to difficulty sleeping, with 30% of employed adults saying stress from work plays a role.
Sleep Habits and Conditions
Stress
(Net)
37%
Technology (Net)
24%
Q26. Which of the following, if any, contribute to your lack of sleep/staying asleep?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)
Q27. Have you ever been diagnosed with any of the following conditions?
Base: n = 151 (Have health/sleeping issues)

17. Despite this, roughly half say their sleep quality was good in the past week
49% of employed adults say they had very good or good sleep in the past 7 days, while 39% say their sleep was only fair.
Good (Net)
49%
Poor (Net)
11%
Q25. In the past 7 days, would you say your sleep quality was…?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

18. Most believe getting good sleep is important, but are not as motivated to do it
While 83% of employed adults believe getting good sleep is important/very important, only 63% are motivated/very motivated to get good sleep.
63%
83% 3% 6%
Q19. We would like to learn more about your work life and how it may impact your sleeping habits.
Q20. In general, how motivated are you to make sure you have enough time to sleep?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

19. Frequency of Sleep Activities
Likewise, more say they have control over sleep than actually get good sleep
While 57% of employed adults say they always/often have control over their amount of sleep, less feel that they always/often get good sleep (46%) or get enough sleep (43%).
Frequency of Sleep Activities
T2B
(Net)
B2B
(Net)
Have control over how much you sleep
Get good sleep
Get enough sleep to feel your best the next day
Feel tired at work
Worry about getting good sleep
57%
46%
43%
35%
30%
14%
19%
20%
30%
39%
Frequency of snoring while sleeping
30%
35%
Q22. How often do you…
Q22B. In your opinion, how often do you snore in your sleep?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

20. A majority are concerned about how their sleep affects their lives
More employed adults are concerned with how their sleep affects their physical health (70%) or mental health (67%). While a somewhat smaller majority are concerned about their job performance (63%) or family life (59%).
63%
59%
70%
67%
10%
12%
14%
16%
Q21. How concerned are you with how your sleep affects your…?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

21. And one-quarter feel tired always or often while at work
While 25% of employed adults feel tired at work always/often, a majority rarely/never have trouble making decisions (72%), remembering things (60%) or focusing (55%). Likewise 46% rarely/never feel less productive.
Frequency of Fatigue a Work
B2B
(Net)
T2B
(Net)
Feel tired
Feel less productive
Have trouble focusing
Have trouble remembering things
Have trouble making decisions
25% 9% 8% 7% 4%
23%
46%
55%
60%
72%
Q35. At work, how often do you…
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

22. Yet, they do not feel their fatigue puts their safety at risk while at work
Most employed adults do not think their safety is at risk due to their tiredness (88%) or someone else’s tiredness (86%). However, less adults never/rarely feel pressured to skip rest breaks (65%) or work more hours (60%). 3% 2%
14%
14%
14%
88%
86%
65%
60%
57%
Q36. How often do you feel…?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

23. Level of Agreement With Statements
Most adults feel their work schedule lets them function safely on the job
While 61% of employed adults feel their schedule lets them have proper rest to function safely, only about one-third feel their employer encourages rest breaks (35%) or cares about their rest outside of work (28%).
Level of Agreement With Statements
Agree
(Net)
Disagree
(Net)
My work schedule allows me to get the proper rest I need to function safely on the job
My employer encourages rest breaks
My employer sees fatigue (or being tired) as a safety issue
My employer considers my ability to get sleep when scheduling shifts
My employer cares about how much rest I get outside of work
61%
35%
34%
31%
28%
16%
27%
35%
31%
Q39. Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

24. As a majority have rarely/never dozed off unintentionally while at work
One reason employed adults may not feel their workplace safety is at risk due to fatigue, is that a majority of adults have rarely/never dozed off while at work (88%) or while driving (93%). The percentage of adults that have rarely/never dozed off outside of work does decline a bit (78%).
93%
88%
78%
Q37. How often do you feel…?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

25. While only a small percentage have had a workplace accident
Likewise, only 8% of employed adults have experienced a workplace accident due to fatigue. 11% of employed adults have had a driving accident while fatigued, while 7% have had coworkers make mistakes due to their tiredness.
Workplace Accident (Net) 8%
Q38. Have you ever had a …
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

26. However, a majority agrees that tired workers do perform worse
A majority of employed adults agree that tired workers are less productive (78%) and that being tired puts safety at risk (70%); however, less adults feel comfortable asking for breaks (49%).
Agree
(Net)
Level of Agreement With Statements
Disagree
(Net)
Workers that are tired are less productive
I believe I should get proper rest before starting my shift
I think it's unsafe to drive when I'm tired
Being tired puts safety at risk
I am not able to perform my job as well when I'm tired
I feel comfortable telling my supervisor I need a break
I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying I am too tired to safely perform my job
I would rather spend my time doing other activities than sleeping
My work schedule prevents me from getting proper rest
78%
77%
70%
59%
49%
36%
30%
17% 5% 3% 6%
10%
14%
20%
34%
35%
58%
Q40. Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

27. Only about one-third know all factors that can cause work fatigue
While a vast majority (94%) of employed adults know the number of hours of sleep recommended, only 31% know all factors that can cause work fatigue. Breaks (46%), noise (47%) and lighting (54%) are the least memorable factors when compared to sleep (84%), hours worked (74%) and temperature (65%).
Correct
Correct
31%
Q42. How many hours of sleep is recommended for adults to get every night for optimal health?
Q43. Which of the following factors can affect how fatigued, sleepy, tired or worn down you feel at work?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

28. More than half incorrectly believe night shifts put employees at risk
While a majority incorrectly thinks night shifts could cause fatigue-related accidents at work, only 23% of employed adults are aware early morning shifts put employees at risk. As a result, only 11% know all four shifts that pose a risk for fatigue-related accidents.
Correct
11%
Q47. Which work schedules are at higher risk for fatigue-related accidents in the workplace?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

29. One-third think you can drive for longer durations without rest
While 41% of employed adults correctly know you should rest every half an hour to two hours when driving long distances, 36% believe you can wait every three to seven hours before resting.
Correct
41%
3-7 hours
36%
Q44. How frequently should you stop to rest when driving long distances, such as drives or trips, that may take several hours?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

30. 40% understand sleep apnea could be a risk for drowsy driving
While 83% of employed adults know sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder where breathing is disrupted, a smaller majority (65%) know that snoring is a symptom and even less (40%) realize it is a risk for drowsy driving. Only 31% of employed adults know all three of these sleep apnea facts.
Correct
31%
Q48. Which of the following statements about sleep apnea are correct?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

31. And only 6% correctly know all methods to prevent drowsy driving
While 41% of employed adults correctly know all common signs of drowsy driving, only 6% know all methods to prevent it. Tailgating is the least known common sign (33%), while rolling down the windows (64%) and turning up the radio (50%) are incorrectly attributed as successful methods of prevention.
Common Signs of Fatigue /Drowsy Driving
Methods to Prevent Fatigue /Drowsy Driving
Correct
41%
Correct 6%
Q45. What are common signs of fatigued or drowsy driving?
Q46. What are some methods to prevent or reduce fatigued or drowsy driving?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

32. Additional Job Summaries

33. Most employed adults only work at one job
90% of employed individuals have one job, while only 8% have two jobs.
2+ Net
10%
Q8. How many full-time and part-time jobs do you have?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

34. Half of those that have multiple jobs work 51 hours or more a week
Of the small percentage of employed adults that have more than one job, 51% work at least 51 hours a week (with the average around 54 hours).
Q9. Thinking about the number of hours you work at your multiple jobs, on average how many total hours do you work in a given week?
Base: n = 203 (Respondents with two or more full-time or part-time jobs)

35. 41% of employed adults have job requirements that put them at risk
22% of employed adults have jobs that require them to work during the night at times, while 32% have jobs that require them to work in the early morning. 31% drive a vehicle for work; however, the majority (77%) of those employed adults spend less than 15 hours a week in that vehicle.
Total Risk
41%
Risk
22%
No Risk
78%
Risk
32%
No Risk
68%
Q15. Does your job ever require you to…?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)
Q16. Roughly, how many hours do you spend in your vehicle for your job in a given week?
Base: n = 627 (Respondents that drive a company or personal vehicle for work)

36. One in three employed adults have a long commute to work
31% of employed adults have a commute that puts them at risk for workplace fatigue (at least 30 minutes).
Commute to Work
No Risk
63%
Risk
31%
Q17. On average, about how long is your drive to your job?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

37. A little more than half work jobs that do not offer overtime pay
54% of employed adults work jobs that do not offer overtime pay. Of those that do not receive overtime pay, 39% are salaried jobs.
No Overtime (Net)
54%
Q18. Which of the following, best describes how you are paid?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

38. Work Days Time Fall Asleep/Wake Up
A.M.
P.M.
Q24. Typically, what time do you fall asleep and wake up on the following days:
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

39. Weekends Time Fall Asleep/Wake Up
A.M.
P.M.
Q24. Typically, what time do you fall asleep and wake up on the following days:
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

40. Close to one-third never worked more hours than typical in recent months
29% of employed adults did not have any weeks in the past 3 months where they worked more hours than a typical work day. Of those that have worked more, 12% worked more in at least 8 weeks within the past 3 months. When looking at the past month, 15% have worked more at least 10 times within the month.
10+ (Net)
15%
8+ (Net)
12%
Q29. In the last month, roughly how many times did you work more hours than your typical work day?
Q31. In the last 3 months, roughly how many weeks did you work more hours than your typical week
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

41. Most employed adults have at least 12 free hours at the end of their work day
However, 14% have 11 or less free hours, which puts them at risk for fatigue. On average, employed adults have close to 14 free hours once their work day ends.
No Risk
Risk
Q32. On average, how many hours do you get off from the end of your workday until you begin to work again?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

42. A large majority take at least one break during a typical work day
However, 10% of employed adults do not take any breaks in a typical work day, putting them at risk for workplace fatigue. On average, employed adults take close to two breaks during the work day.
No Risk
90%
Risk
10%
Q33. Roughly how many breaks, including lunch, do you take in a work day?
Base: n = 2010 (Total qualified)

43. Weighting Plan

44. Weighting Plan
The starting sample was based on 18+ members who are full-time employed (included self-employed). In the survey, we reconfirmed full-time employed (but excluded full-time self-employed). The base weight is based on full-time employed (including self-employed) to reflect how the sample was selected. However, when computing the final weights for qualified respondents, the benchmarks were based on full-time employed (excluding full-time self-employed) to reflect the screening criteria.
Weighting variables include:  
Age (18-29, 30-44, 45-59, 60+) by Gender
Race (White, AA, Others, Hispanic, 2+ Races)
Region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West) by Metro (Non-Metro, Metro)
Education (Less than HS, HS, Some college, Bachelor or higher)
Income (Under $25,000, $25,000-$49,999, $50,000-$74,999, $75,000 and $99,999, $100,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and above)
Trimming Design Effect:
Trimming: (0.25%, 99.80%)

45. Demographics

46. Demographics Level of Risk Gender: Female 45% 58% 34% 36% Male 55% 42%
Total
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Base:
N=2010
(N=337)
(N=1230)
(N=407)
(N=36*)
Gender: Female
45%
58%
34%
36%
Male
55%
42%
66%
64%
Age:
56%
54%
45-65
40%
41%
65+ 3% 2% 1% --
Mean (years)
42.99
42.22
43.18
43.23
41.15
Median HH Income (in thousands)
$87k
$83k
$85k
$97k
College graduate
39% 40 39 37 43
Some College or less
61%
59%
53%
57%
Married/Living w partner
71%
69%
76%
Median HH size 3 2
Kids in HH
35%
51%
Region: Northeast
18%
19%
17%
14%
Midwest
22%
26%
21% 8%
South
38%
32%
37%
52%
West
23%
24%
27%