Ranking of Mistakes and Blunders Due to Sleepiness at Work: Survey of 500 Men and Women

M-fro Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Norinori Kitawaki) conducted an "Awareness Survey on Mistakes and Blunders Due to Sleepiness at Work" targeting 500 working men and women and ranked the data.

Many people have likely experienced strong sleepiness during work. Sometimes, this sleepiness leads to mistakes that wouldn't normally be made.

Craudia Recruitment Video Production Agency Service (https://craudia-saiyo-movie.com/), operated by M-fro Inc., conducted a survey among 500 working men and women about "mistakes and blunders made due to sleepiness at work" and compiled the results in a ranking format.

Dr. Mariko Morita, a physician and representative of Child Health Laboratory, has provided comments on the survey results.

[Request for Data Citation/Reprint]

When using the survey results and images from this release, please include a link to the official website URL of "Craudia Recruitment Video Production Agency Service" (https://craudia-saiyo-movie.com/) as the source.

[Survey Overview]

Target Audience: Working individuals

Survey Period: June 18-19, 2026

Survey Organization: In-house survey

Survey Method: Voluntary response via internet

Valid Responses: 500 people (338 women / 162 men)

Responder Age Groups: 20s 18.0% / 30s 35.8% / 40s 28.0% / 50s and over 18.2%

[Survey Results Summary]

- 61.2% have made mistakes due to sleepiness at work.

- The top mistake/blunder due to sleepiness at work was "data entry errors."

- The top preventive measure taken to prevent sleepiness at work was "getting enough sleep."

61.2% have made mistakes due to sleepiness at work

When asked 500 working individuals if they had ever made a mistake due to sleepiness at work, 61.2% responded "frequently" (7.4%) or "occasionally" (53.8%).

It was found that many people have experienced a "slip-up" due to sleepiness at least once. Feeling sleepy at work is not a rare occurrence but a common problem for many.

Some women commented, "I'm always sleepy before my period," indicating that even with a regular sleep schedule, sleepiness can occur due to hormonal imbalances.

The top mistake/blunder due to sleepiness at work was "data entry errors."

The number one mistake/blunder due to sleepiness was "data entry errors" (23.6%). This was followed by "dozing off" (16.4%), "missing what was said" (15.6%), and "erroneous email transmission" (12.6%).

Mistakes and blunders occurred in various situations such as "while creating emails or data," "during meetings," and "during phone calls." No single type of mistake stood out, indicating that sleepiness affects various work tasks.

It is also characteristic that mistakes are more common in routine tasks. While the heightened tension in special tasks may reduce sleepiness, routine tasks can lead to decreased tension and increased susceptibility to sleepiness.

<1st Place: Data Entry Errors>

- "I was overcome by intense sleepiness after lunch and, in a daze, made a single-digit error when entering numerical data into Excel. The calculations didn't add up, leading to extra time spent investigating the cause of the problem." (30s Male)

- "My concentration dropped, and I made a single-digit error when entering numbers. I submitted it without noticing and had to rush to correct it after being pointed out." (40s Female)

- "When I couldn't sleep for several consecutive nights, I relied on my usual Excel work habits, but I made a copy-paste error in the first few rows, shifting the entire row. I continued processing over 10,000 data points without realizing it, and it was discovered the following month. A crucial campaign was ruined." (50s+ Male)

Specifically, "typos in numbers" and "entering data in the wrong field" were mentioned.

For those who perform data entry daily, they can often work through slight sleepiness due to familiarity. However, when sleepiness reduces concentration, it's common to overlook errors.

As a result, some people experienced "being told about mistakes," "spending a lot of time on post-correction," or "not noticing mistakes, leading to major failures."

<2nd Place: Dozing Off>

- "I dozed off during an important meeting and was called out by name. My boss was very angry afterward." (20s Male)

- "I fell asleep during an online meeting, and everyone noticed I was asleep." (40s Female)

- "I was so sleepy that, since I was alone, I put my head on my desk and dozed off for a bit. Then my junior colleague suddenly entered the room and saw me." (50s+ Female)

When sleepiness reaches its limit, one might doze off unintentionally, even when trying to stay awake. Dozing off was common in situations requiring prolonged listening or desk work, such as meetings and training.

Being seen dozing off by colleagues can lead to reprimands or awkward situations. Even if it doesn't result in a major mistake, it can affect one's performance evaluation at work.

Outside of desk work, one person shared, "My consciousness briefly drifted, and the welding position shifted." Depending on the job, dozing off could lead to injuries or accidents.

<3rd Place: Missing What Was Said>

- "My mind was foggy due to sleepiness, and I missed the work instructions." (20s Female)

- "My consciousness briefly drifted during a meeting, and I missed part of an important instruction, which I had to confirm later." (30s Male)

- "I was overcome by strong sleepiness during an afternoon meeting and missed a request from my boss. I proceeded with the task based on a misunderstanding and had to correct it later." (40s Male)

When sleepiness makes one's mind hazy, even if they think they are listening, the information may not register. Missing important instructions or explanations can lead to the extra effort of confirming later or result in mistakes.

If the person who missed the information doesn't realize it, problems may arise later when they start working. This is more likely to occur in workplaces where instructions and explanations are primarily given verbally.

<4th Place: Erroneous Email Transmission>

- "I sent an email to the wrong recipient. I also misspelled the recipient's name." (30s Male)

- "I sent an email in error. I sent a draft that was supposed to remain a draft." (50s+ Female)

Specifically, "wrong recipient," "misspelled name," "sending a draft," and "omitting or attaching the wrong file" were mentioned.

These are mistakes that could be prevented by checking before sending, but when sleepiness reduces attention, the checking process tends to be neglected. Emails often cannot be recalled once sent, and a single mistake can lead to "information leakage," potentially affecting trust with business partners and customers.

Even with familiar tasks, it's necessary to proceed cautiously when sleepiness impairs concentration.

<5th Place: Misspoken Words>

- "I mistakenly called a visitor by the wrong name, even though I had met them multiple times. I realized it after speaking and tried to cover it up, but I probably wasn't successful." (30s Female)

- "While handling a phone call, I was hit by intense sleepiness and, in the middle of a serious conversation, suddenly used very casual language. I was young then and was forgiven with a laugh, but I'll never forget the feeling of realizing that my mistake could cause the company to lose a valuable client." (40s Female)

- "I was overcome by sleepiness at the call center and, at the moment I dozed off, the phone rang. Instead of saying 'Thank you for calling,' I answered with 'Hello?' as if it were a personal call." (50s+ Male)

Sleepiness can lead to an inability to use appropriate language spontaneously or to mispronounce a person's name. Once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back, potentially giving an impolite impression.

Mistaking a customer's name, in particular, can damage trust. Some people broke out in a cold sweat, thinking, "Even though it was laughed off, it could have led to a significant business loss."

The top preventive measure for sleepiness at work was "getting enough sleep."

The most common response for preventive measures against sleepiness at work was "getting enough sleep" (34.8%). "Moving the body" (25.2%), "consuming caffeine" (22.8%), and "adjusting eating habits" (21.6%) were also frequently mentioned.

Many people listed multiple methods.

While ensuring sufficient sleep is a fundamental measure, methods to alleviate sleepiness when it occurs are also being considered. Short-term measures like "napping," "snacking," and "hydration" were also frequently mentioned.

It appears that people are devising methods that suit their work content and environment, as the applicable measures vary.

<1st Place: Getting Enough Sleep>

- "I suffer from migraines, so I often feel unwell due to lack of sleep. I go to bed by 11 PM, regardless of whether the next day is a day off or a workday. I stop using my smartphone or computer early before bed and close my eyes in bed. I started this habit about a year ago, and now I feel less sleepy during work." (20s Female)

- "If I'm sleep-deprived the night before, I inevitably feel sleepy, so the most important thing is sufficient sleep." (30s Male)

- "To prevent sleepiness at work, I try to get about 7 hours of sleep every night." (40s Female)

When there is a fundamental lack of sleep, daytime countermeasures, no matter how clever, will not solve the problem repeatedly. Therefore, many people are trying to maintain a regular sleep schedule and get enough sleep.

Some people are also trying to improve sleep quality, not just by going to bed earlier, but by avoiding smartphones before sleep.

This is a measure that requires no special equipment or cost and can be practiced daily with conscious effort. However, it can be challenging for those with shift work, childcare, or caregiving responsibilities that disrupt their sleep schedule.

<2nd Place: Moving the Body>

- "Since I have a standing job, I do light squats and other exercises while filling out forms to wake myself up." (20s Male)

- "I stand up and do stretches to refresh myself." (30s Female)

- "Even if I get enough sleep, I always feel sleepy after eating, so I get up and walk around." (50s+ Male)

Some people move their bodies when they feel or are about to feel sleepy. This is thought to help refresh them and regain concentration. Specific examples include "stretching or light exercise" and "getting up to walk during restroom breaks."

This is a relatively easy measure to implement, depending on the work environment, and many people practice it.

<3rd Place: Consuming Caffeine>

- "Caffeine affects me easily, so I always drink coffee with lunch." (30s Female)

- "I bring coffee from home and drink it frequently." (40s Male)

- "I drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages about an hour before I usually feel most sleepy." (50s+ Male)

Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks, is known to suppress sleepiness. Some people are strategic about when they consume it, such as "in the morning," "after lunch," or "about an hour before feeling most sleepy."

However, it's important to note that caffeine affects individuals differently, and excessive consumption can interfere with nighttime sleep or cause stomach issues.

<4th Place: Adjusting Eating Habits>

- "I try not to overeat at lunch and eat soups and proteins first to prevent blood sugar spikes." (20s Female)

- "Eating too many carbohydrates at lunch causes blood sugar fluctuations and sleepiness, so I limit carbs and focus on salads and chicken for lunch." (30s Male)

- "Previously, I used to eat cup noodles, onigiri, or bread for lunch, and snacks afterward. By switching to a proper bento box lunch with 'carbohydrates,' 'protein,' and 'vegetables' that I chew slowly, my post-lunch sleepiness has subsided." (40s Female)

Many people pay particular attention to their lunch habits. Specifically, "eating smaller portions," "not consuming too many carbohydrates," and "eating vegetables and proteins first" are common strategies. Since many people feel sleepy after lunch, they try to alleviate it by adjusting their meal content and eating habits.

Some people have noticed positive effects from changing their lunch. Even if bringing a bento box is difficult, changing the order of eating or avoiding overeating are conscious efforts that can be incorporated as preventive measures.

<5th Place: Taking Naps>

- "During my break, I try to close my eyes or take a nap for 15 to 30 minutes." (20s Female)

- "While getting enough sleep daily is important, when I can't get enough sleep, I take a short nap, even just a few minutes, during my break." (30s Female)

- "I take a nap during my lunch break. Even a short doze makes a big difference." (50s+ Male)

Many people use their lunch break to sleep for a short period or rest with their eyes closed to alleviate afternoon sleepiness. This suggests that the benefit of naps in restoring concentration is widely recognized.

<6th Place: Snacking>

- "I eat gum or mint tablets to stay awake." (30s Female)

- "I carry chewy snacks like hard gummies or gum for sleepiness and when I feel a little hungry." (40s Female)

- "When I feel sleepy, I put a mint-flavored tablet in my mouth. I put it under my tongue or behind my teeth and chew it when I feel 'it's too much.'" (50s+ Male)

Many people choose snacks with refreshing flavors like mint, or those that require chewing, such as gum or gummies. The stimulation from consuming these snacks is thought to help refresh them and reduce sleepiness.

This is an easy method to implement if snacking is permitted in the workplace.

<7th Place: Hydration>

- "I have a physically demanding job, so I ensure I get enough sleep and stay hydrated." (40s Female)

- "I try to switch my mood by drinking cold beverages." (40s Female)

Some people alleviate sleepiness by drinking beverages. Cold drinks, in particular, can be stimulating and help refresh them.

Also, sleepiness can be a symptom of dehydration, so staying hydrated is also a preventive measure against sleepiness for jobs with a high risk of dehydration, such as outdoor work.

Even in workplaces where snacking is not allowed, hydration is often permitted to prevent health issues.

Conclusion

This survey revealed that over 60% of people have experienced mistakes due to sleepiness at work, indicating that sleepiness is a common challenge for many.

Mistakes like data entry errors and erroneous transmissions due to sleepiness often lead to rework and affect colleagues. Consequently, some people have been reprimanded or had frightening experiences due to mistakes caused by sleepiness.

As for countermeasures, in addition to ensuring sufficient sleep, many workplace-specific strategies for dealing with sleepiness were mentioned. While the feasibility of these measures varies depending on the work environment, it might be worthwhile to choose and implement those that are easy to practice.

Comments from Mariko Morita, M.D.

Japanese people have short sleep durations, ranking last among 33 countries in OECD data from 2021. This survey also shows that over half of the respondents suffer from daytime sleepiness and related work mistakes.

While the fundamental solution is to ensure sufficient sleep, consuming caffeine and taking naps are scientifically valid methods for combating sleepiness. However, consuming caffeine too late or napping excessively can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. This can lead to shorter sleep durations and a vicious cycle of daytime sleepiness, so caution is advised.

With chronic sleep deprivation, attention and working memory can decline even if sleepiness is not consciously perceived. Individuals up to their 50s should aim for about 7 hours of sleep, and those in their 60s should aim for about 6 hours.

▽Expert Introduction

Mariko Morita

Physician and Representative of Child Health Laboratory. Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo. After working as an anesthesiologist, she began working as a specialist in children's sleep in 2018. After a part-time position at the Sleep Medicine Center, Showa University Hospital East Hospital from 2019, she currently provides counseling on adult and child sleep, develops apps in collaboration with companies, and trains consultants. Author: "Doctor-Taught Type-Specific Sleep Improvement Steps 1-2-3" Logica Books, and others.

Child Health Laboratory: https://child.healthlabs.jp/

[Request for Data Citation/Reprint]

When using the survey results and images from this release, please include a link to the official website URL of "Craudia Recruitment Video Production Agency Service" (https://craudia-saiyo-movie.com/) as the source.

About Craudia

Craudia is a comprehensive cloud sourcing service operated by M-fro Inc.

As the ways of working and lifestyles become more diverse, it is offered as one of the services that supports individual lives, including freelance, side jobs, and multiple jobs.

Official URL https://www.craudia.com/

About M-fro Inc.

M-fro Inc. is a company whose core business is media operations, providing valuable services by disseminating attractive information to users.

Leveraging the data, know-how, and development achievements accumulated through its main media business, the company offers marketing consulting services that propose highly effective customer acquisition methods.

Official URL https://www.mfro.net/

Company Profile

Company Name: M-fro Inc.

Representative: Norinori Kitawaki, Representative Director

Location: 4F, A-PLACE Ebisu Higashi, 3-13-11 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011

Established: September 2004

Capital: 50,000,000 yen

URL: http://www.mfro.net/