Imagine trying to run a marathon every day. Except no one’s cheering, there’s no finish line, and you’re expected to smile through it. That’s what work feels like for many employees now. They are not lazy or disengaged. They are just tired. Bone-deep, brain-fogged, tired.
Fatigue has become a huge threat to workplace performance. In the UK alone, over 3.5 million shift workers in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing are vulnerable to exhaustion from long hours and poor scheduling, according to the Health Safetly Executive.
This is because of a growing mismatch between the demands of modern work and the capacity of human beings to keep up. And it’s not confined to the office either. Tiredness travels home, festers overnight, and returns the next day wearing a staff lanyard.
Fatigue is a systems issue, not a personal flaw. And if we want more energy, better focus, and fewer sick days, we need to look beyond coffee and resilience training. We need structural, evidence-based change.
Let’s explore how.
What's really behind the workplace tiredness epidemic?
When we talk about tiredness at work, we're not simply discussing the occasional late night or Monday morning blues. We're looking at a complex web of factors that interweave to create chronic fatigue across UK workplaces.
This fatigue reduces mental and physical performance, leading to accidents and health issues, especially in machine-paced or monotonous roles. The impact goes far beyond these obvious safety concerns. Tired employees struggle with decision-making, creativity, and interpersonal relationships – all essential components of a thriving workplace culture.
The hidden health factors
Many cases of persistent workplace tiredness stem from underlying health conditions that employees may not even realise they have. Sleep disorders, thyroid problems, iron deficiency, diabetes, and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can all manifest as chronic fatigue. Without proper medical assessment and treatment, these conditions continue to drain your employees' energy and your company's productivity.
The connection between mental health and fatigue is particularly significant. According to NHS data from March 2024, over one million fit notes were issued in England for mental and behavioural disorders, including stress-related conditions, anxiety and depression. Many of these conditions present initially as persistent tiredness, making early identification and support vital.
Workload and workplace design.
Poor workplace design contributes significantly to employee fatigue. This includes everything from inadequate lighting and uncomfortable temperatures to unrealistic deadlines and excessive workloads. When employees feel constantly under pressure to deliver more with less, their stress levels soar and their energy reserves deplete rapidly.
The data supports this observation. According to The Access Group's 2024 sick leave report across 18 industries, businesses saw an average amount of 128 days lost to sickness in the last year - up 6% compared to 120 in 2022. This increase suggests that workplace pressures are mounting, and employees are struggling to cope.
The shift work challenge
For organisations operating shift patterns, the challenge becomes even more complex. Disrupted circadian rhythms impact a person's entire life rhythm, affecting sleep quality, digestive health, and family relationships. This creates a cascading effect where work tiredness spills into personal life, and personal fatigue affects work performance.
How does home life tiredness impact your workplace?
The boundary between work and home life has become increasingly blurred, particularly since the pandemic reshaped how and where we work. What happens in an employee's personal life doesn't stay there – it walks through your office doors every morning or logs into that video call.
Katherine Walker, a guest on our Season Two podcast, explored this critical flow between home and work life with our CEO Steven Pink, which you can view here. She highlights how personal stressors, relationship issues, parenting challenges, and health concerns at home directly impact workplace performance and engagement.
The ripple effect of personal stress
Consider the employee who's caring for an elderly parent with dementia whilst trying to manage their own family responsibilities. They arrive at work already emotionally and physically drained, having dealt with challenging behaviours, medication management, and the constant worry about their loved one's wellbeing. How can they possibly bring their best self to important meetings or complex problem-solving tasks?
Or think about the team member whose child has been experiencing sleep difficulties for months. Night after night of disrupted sleep doesn't just affect the child – it creates a household of tired, stressed individuals. When this employee sits at their desk, they're fighting fatigue, irritability, and decreased cognitive function that stems entirely from their home situation.
Family health concerns
When family members are unwell, the emotional and practical burden often falls on the working parent or partner. Hospital appointments, medication routines, special care needs, and the constant emotional weight of worry all contribute to fatigue that employees bring to work.
These situations highlight why workplace wellbeing initiatives must consider the whole person, not just their professional responsibilities.
Trust Verve Healthcare, the company with 30 years' NHS experience to understand this complex interplay between personal and professional wellbeing.
Financial stress and sleep quality
Financial worries are another significant contributor to home-based tiredness that affects workplace performance. Employees lying awake at night worried about mortgage payments, energy bills, or childcare costs arrive at work with compromised decision-making abilities and reduced emotional resilience.
The stress-sleep-performance cycle is particularly vicious. Stress disrupts sleep quality, poor sleep reduces stress resilience, and decreased resilience makes workplace challenges feel overwhelming, creating more stress. Without intervention, this cycle continues indefinitely, affecting both the individual and their colleagues.
What is your first line of defence against employee fatigue?
When employees consistently appear tired or mention feeling constantly drained, the instinct might be to suggest they get more sleep or reduce their workload. However, persistent fatigue often signals underlying health conditions that require proper medical assessment and treatment.
Early intervention saves money
Encourage your employee to see a GP; having Verve Healthcare’s Verve On Demand private GP service means appointments can be scheduled around your working week. It ensures the person's wellbeing and it's a smart business strategy. Early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like sleep apnoea, thyroid disorders, diabetes, or mental health issues can prevent more serious health complications and extended periods of sickness absence.
The sickness absence rate for public sector employees in 2024 was 2.9% and for those working in the private sector it was 1.8%. Whilst these figures might seem modest, they represent significant costs when multiplied across your workforce. Proactive workplace healthcare can reduce sickness absence by catching health issues before they become serious problems.
The diagnostic puzzle of fatigue
Fatigue is a symptom of numerous conditions, making it essential for employees to receive proper medical evaluation. Iron deficiency anaemia, common particularly among women, can cause severe tiredness but is easily treated once diagnosed. Similarly, thyroid disorders affect millions of people and often go undiagnosed for years, with fatigue being a primary symptom.
Mental health conditions frequently present as physical tiredness before other symptoms become apparent. Depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders all commonly manifest as persistent fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and reduced motivation. Early identification and treatment not only help the individual recover but also prevent the condition from affecting their work performance and relationships with colleagues.
Breaking down barriers to healthcare access
Many employees delay seeing their GP due to appointment availability, concerns about taking time off work, or simply not recognising that their tiredness might be medically significant. As an employer, you can help break down these barriers by providing access to appointments with Verve On Demand, which offers GP, mental health and occupational health services.
Your approach to supporting employee healthcare access sends a powerful message about your organisational values. When you make it easier for employees to prioritise their health, you demonstrate that you value them as whole people, not just their productivity output.
The role of occupational health
Occupational health services bridge the gap between personal healthcare and workplace wellbeing. They can provide confidential assessments, workplace adjustments, and ongoing support for employees managing health conditions that affect their energy levels.
Our article on occupational health trends shows 48% of UK employers have already reviewed the levels of service and general performance of their occupational health providers in 2023 – and a further third (33%) planned to do so in 2024. This increasing focus on occupational health reflects growing recognition that supporting employee health is essential for business success.
What workplace strategies actually work to combat employee tiredness?
Creating an environment where employees feel energised and engaged requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate fatigue factors and underlying causes. The most effective strategies combine environmental improvements, policy changes, and support systems that acknowledge the complex nature of workplace tiredness.
Workplace environment and design
The physical environment plays a crucial role in either supporting or draining employee energy. Natural light exposure helps regulate circadian rhythms and mood, whilst poor lighting can contribute to eye strain and headaches that increase fatigue. Temperature control is equally important – spaces that are too warm make people drowsy, whilst cold environments force the body to use energy for temperature regulation.
Consider the impact of air quality on cognitive function and energy levels. Poor ventilation leads to increased carbon dioxide levels, which directly affect brain function and cause drowsiness. Investing in proper ventilation systems and incorporating plants that naturally purify air can make a measurable difference to employee alertness and wellbeing.
Noise levels also significantly impact energy expenditure. Constant background noise forces the brain to work harder to filter information, leading to mental fatigue. Creating quiet zones, using sound-absorbing materials, and establishing noise guidelines can help preserve employee energy for productive tasks.
Flexible working arrangements
The traditional 9-to-5 schedule doesn't suit everyone's natural energy patterns or personal circumstances. Some people are naturally more alert and productive in the morning, whilst others hit their peak performance later in the day. Allowing flexibility in start and finish times can help employees align their work schedule with their natural energy rhythms.
Flexible working also helps employees manage personal responsibilities that might otherwise create stress and fatigue. The ability to adjust hours for medical appointments, family commitments, or personal health routines can prevent the build-up of stress that contributes to chronic tiredness.
Remote and hybrid working options can eliminate commute-related fatigue whilst giving employees more control over their environment. However, it's important to provide guidance on creating effective home workspaces to prevent different types of fatigue from poor ergonomics or distractions.
Workload management and realistic expectations
Chronic overwork is one of the most significant contributors to workplace fatigue. According to CIPHR's 2024 workplace stress statistics, front-line workers (67%) are more likely to experience negative impacts of stress compared to middle-level (64%) and upper-level employees (54%).
This disparity often reflects unrealistic workload expectations and insufficient support for those handling the most demanding roles.
Regular workload reviews help identify when employees are struggling to cope with their responsibilities. This ensures that workloads are sustainable and that employees have the resources they need to succeed without burning out.
Consider implementing task prioritisation systems that help employees focus on high-impact activities rather than feeling overwhelmed by endless to-do lists. Clear communication about expectations and deadlines prevents the anxiety and energy drain that comes from uncertainty about priorities.
Rest and recovery opportunities
NHS Employers' 2024 data, showed 85% of surveyed staff said they took a break every shift, compared to 21% in 2022. This improvement shows the positive impact of actively promoting rest periods during the workday.
Encouraging proper lunch breaks away from desks helps employees recharge mentally and physically. Consider providing comfortable break areas where employees can genuinely relax, rather than simply moving from one work-focused environment to another.
Some organisations are experimenting with workplace nap pods or quiet rooms where employees can take short power naps. Whilst this might seem unconventional, research consistently shows that brief 10-20 minute naps can significantly improve alertness and cognitive function for the remainder of the day.
Health and wellbeing support programmes
Comprehensive wellbeing programmes address the various factors that contribute to employee fatigue. This might include stress management workshops, nutrition education, exercise facilities or subsidies, and mental health support services.
Sleep hygiene education can be particularly valuable, helping employees understand how their evening routines, screen time, caffeine consumption, and bedroom environment affect their sleep quality and next-day energy levels.
Providing access to health assessments helps identify underlying conditions that might be contributing to fatigue. Regular health checks can catch issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, or vitamin deficiencies before they significantly impact employee wellbeing and performance. Find out more about our health assessments here.
How can Verve Healthcare help you create a more energised workforce?
Creating a truly healthy, happy and productive workforce requires more than well-intentioned policies and workplace adjustments. It demands a comprehensive approach that addresses health proactively, provides accessible care, and supports employees as whole people rather than just workers.
Proactive health monitoring and early intervention
Verve Healthcare's approach focuses on preventing health issues before they become serious problems that lead to fatigue and extended sickness absence. Regular health assessments can identify early warning signs of conditions that commonly present as tiredness, including cardiovascular issues, metabolic disorders, and mental health concerns.
Our 30 years' NHS experience means we understand the complex interplay between physical health, mental wellbeing, and workplace performance. This expertise allows us to provide targeted interventions that address the root causes of employee fatigue rather than just managing symptoms.
Health screenings and assessments designed specifically for working populations can identify occupational health risks that contribute to tiredness. This might include a review of shift work impact on circadian rhythms, ergonomic issues affecting sleep quality, or stress-related health changes that require intervention.
Accessible healthcare that fits around work
One of the biggest barriers to addressing health-related fatigue is the difficulty of accessing healthcare during working hours. Traditional GP appointments often require time off work, creating additional stress and potentially delaying necessary treatment.
Verve Healthcare's workplace-based services eliminate these barriers by bringing healthcare directly to your employees. On-site clinics, workplace health checks, and occupational health assessments can all be scheduled around work patterns, making it easier for employees to prioritise their health.
For organisations with distributed workforces or remote employees, telemedicine options provide convenient access to healthcare professionals who understand occupational health challenges. This ensures that all employees, regardless of location, can access the support they need to address fatigue-related health concerns.
Customised solutions for your workforce
Different industries and work patterns create distinct challenges for employee energy and wellbeing. Manufacturing workers face different fatigue risks compared to office-based staff, whilst healthcare workers have unique challenges related to shift patterns and emotional demands.
Verve Healthcare's modular approach means we can design services specifically for your workforce's needs.
Our data-driven approach helps identify patterns and trends in your workforce's health that might not be immediately obvious. This intelligence allows for targeted interventions that address the specific factors contributing to fatigue in your organisation.
Supporting mental health and stress management
Given the strong connection between mental health and fatigue, comprehensive workplace healthcare must include robust mental health support. This goes beyond employee assistance programmes to include proactive mental health screening, stress management education, and accessible counselling services.
Early identification of mental health concerns that present as fatigue can prevent more serious problems developing. Our experienced healthcare professionals can distinguish between different types of fatigue and ensure employees receive appropriate support, whether that's medical treatment, workplace adjustments, or mental health interventions.
Integration with existing workplace wellbeing initiatives
Effective fatigue management requires coordination between healthcare services, HR policies, and workplace culture. Verve Healthcare works with your existing wellbeing initiatives to create a comprehensive approach that addresses all aspects of employee tiredness.
This might involve training managers to recognise signs of employee fatigue and know how to respond appropriately, developing workplace policies that support good sleep hygiene, or creating communication strategies that help reduce stress-related tiredness.
Measuring impact and continuous improvement
Workplace wellbeing is not just the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Our approach includes measurement and evaluation to demonstrate the impact of health interventions on reducing fatigue-related sickness absence, improving productivity, and enhancing employee engagement.
Regular assessment allows for programme refinement and ensures that interventions continue to meet your workforce's evolving needs. This evidence-based approach helps justify investment in employee health whilst ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact.
The goal is to build an organisational culture where health and wellbeing are prioritised, where employees feel supported to manage both work and personal challenges, and where energy and engagement become the norm rather than the exception.
When employees feel physically and mentally energised, they bring creativity, enthusiasm, and resilience to their work. They're more likely to collaborate effectively, take initiative, and contribute to a positive workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent.
Ready to transform your tired workforce into an energised, productive team? Discover how Verve Healthcare's comprehensive workplace health solutions can address the root causes of employee fatigue whilst building a culture of wellbeing that benefits everyone.
Contact us today to discuss how our tailored approach can create the healthy, happy and productive workforce your organisation deserves.
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