U.S. workday longer, workers nodding off

WASHINGTON, March 3 (UPI) -- Fatigued U.S. workers putting in a 9.5-hour average workday, plus more hours at home, are nodding off on the job and while driving, a poll indicates.

The poll released by the National Sleep Foundation Monday found 29 percent of workers reported falling asleep or becoming very sleepy at work in the past month, and 36 percent have nodded off or fallen asleep while driving. Twenty percent reported having sex less often or having lost interest in sex because of fatigue; and 14 percent have missed family events, work functions and leisure activities due to sleepiness, the survey said.

For those who take work home with them, 20 percent said they spend 10 or more additional hours each week and 25 percent spend at least seven additional hours each week on job-related duties.

The survey found 25 percent have a workday lasting 8-9 hours, another 25 percent work 9-10 hours daily and 33 percent 10 or more hours.

The poll, conducted by WB&A Market Research, surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults by telephone and has a margin of error of plus/minus 3.1 percentage points.