Case Study

Good bedfellows

3 Jun. 2026

A good night’s sleep is no longer just a personal priority. For organisations operating in fast-paced, safety-critical environments, it plays a direct role in performance, decision-making, and overall wellbeing at work.

For international engineering firm Dornan Group, this became a clear area of focus following internal feedback that highlighted widespread sleep challenges across its workforce. Recognising the potential impact on both safety and productivity, the business chose to act.

A conversation between Magdalena Widawska, Head of Wellbeing at Dornan, and Claire Neal, Workplace Mental Health Specialist at CiC Wellbeing, opened the door to a targeted solution. Together, they identified an opportunity to build greater awareness of sleep and recovery across the organisation.

In March 2026, Dornan introduced a tailored online sleep programme as part of its annual wellbeing campaign. Designed specifically for the realities of engineering work, the session addressed challenges such as irregular shift patterns, remote site working and international travel.

Fifteen employees took part in the two-hour group coaching session, facilitated by an occupational psychologist. The format encouraged open discussion, combining expert insight with practical, relatable examples.

Participants explored barriers to quality sleep, including parenting pressures, difficulty unwinding and inconsistent routines, while sharing strategies that had already worked for them.

Each attendee set personal goals to trial over a two-week period. Progress was then reviewed collectively, supported by a take-away workbook to reinforce learning beyond the session.

Magdalena reflects on the experience:
“The programme generated a great deal of interest, and feedback was extremely encouraging. It struck the right balance between professional guidance and practical application. Just as importantly, it helped people realise they weren’t alone in their challenges, which built motivation and accountability.”

The programme delivered clear improvements across several key areas:

• Daily energy levels increased by 27%, supporting consistent and safe performance
• Positive mood rose by 18%, helping strengthen collaboration and engagement
• Stress levels reduced by 13%, lowering the risk of burnout
• Sleep quality improved by 8%, aiding recovery and resilience

Claire highlights why these results matter:
“Sleep has a direct influence on safety, mental health and performance. Employers are increasingly recognising that fatigue management is just as important as workload management, particularly in sectors like construction and engineering.

“What Dornan has done well is take a proactive approach. By equipping employees with practical tools and creating space for open conversations, they are reinforcing a culture where wellbeing is taken seriously.”

Dornan has long placed employee wellbeing at the centre of its operations, viewing it as essential to delivering high-quality work safely. With regular employee feedback and a broad programme of initiatives already in place, the sleep pilot marks another step forward in that commitment.

The partnership with CiC Wellbeing is also set to continue evolving.

Magdalena adds:
“From the outset, there was a strong alignment in values and approach. CiC Wellbeing brought both expertise and a collaborative mindset, which made the process seamless.

“We’re seeing greater awareness of self-care and mental health across the business. Building on this, we’re keen to expand our work together and explore further opportunities to support our people.”