Although insomnia plagues many people, it remains an unrecognized problem in the work force. When workers suffer from insomnia, they become irritable, forgetful and impulsive, all of which leads to mistakes and productivity losses, and supervisors have a tendency to focus on the negative outcomes of insomnia rather than examine the root problem, says Alison Daily, RN, BSN, CCM, FLMI, second vice president of clinical and vocational services at The Standard.

Many supervisors fail to determine the underlying cause because they are uncomfortable with the conversation that must take place, Daily says; however, it does not have to be difficult. Simply asking open-ended questions about the employee's situation is often enough to encourage communication.

"Insomnia is something employers should be very concerned about," Daily says. "In fact, functional impairment in the occupational setting is actually part of the diagnostic criteria. By definition, insomnia leads to problems in the workplace."