Bartenders get just five hours sleep over Christmas

Christmas joy for all? Not for hospitality workers who survive the festive period on an average of just five-to-six hours of sleep a night, according to research from UK distributor Matthew Clark.

Some hospitality workers get just three hours of sleep over the Christmas period. Image: Jessica Cross

During the Christmas season, those employed in the hospitality sector will average an extra 28 hours overtime, the distributor reckons, having teamed up with Vital Statistics to survey 1,000 people who work in the industry.

Taking the two stats and working the maths, bartenders and others in hospitality will lose over 120 hours of sleep – or five entire days – working the Christmas shift over a lifetime in hospitality.

Experts recommend getting between seven and nine hours sleep per night to maximise productivity and concentration.

Worrying, 64% of those surveyed said they regularly miss out on sleep, especially over the Christmas period, and almost 10% said they get between three and four hours shut-eye per night.

It’s not just sleep that hard-working bartenders and others miss out on: dating, self-care, exercising and running essential errands all get pushed to the side lines when work calls over Christmas.

Matthew Clark says its 24/7 online ordering system is helping hospitality workers take back time by allowing them order stock at their convenience.

“Christmas is a very busy time of the year for the hospitality industry and striking a work life balance is a huge challenge,” said Geoff Brown, Matthew Clark marketing director.

“The festive period is prime time for business and to make the most of friends and family, so we want to help our customers take back some to time to spend with loved ones – or just catching up on sleep. Encouraging our customers to place their orders online is just one of the ways we’re helping them save time this Christmas.”