There are definite pros and cons to letting employees nap on the job.
Depending on the type of business you are running, you may decide that naps are ok or you may decide that they are detrimental to productivity. After weighing in the good and the bad of nap-taking at work, you can come to a general understanding for your employees.
The Cons for On-the-Job Nap Taking
As you may well know, there are a few cons to having employees nap on the job without any repercussion. Some of these nap cons are:
- While an employee is sleeping they are not doing anything on the clock that is in their job description and therefore they are getting paid for relatively "nothing".
- If customers or clients happen to glance at a napping co-worker, it reflects badly on the company or organization.
- While some naps can restore vitality, there can be some sleep inertia resulting in a hangover-type of effect.
The Pros of Napping on the Job
However, there are some good things that can come from allowing your workers to nap while on the job. Some of the pros of job naps include:
- For workers that are at the office or business for longer hours than normal, a nap can help revitalize and refresh the employee.
- A sleepy employee on a dangerous job can hinder both their health and the health of those around them. A nap can be just the thing to help keep things safe.
- A sleep-deprived worker will not be as productive and will make more mistakes than a refreshed and awake worker. Naps can be utilized by some companies to ensure top-quality work.
- Many employers would rather pay for seven hours of wide-awake with periods of naps equaling eight paid hours than for eight hours of sleepy work and no naps.
What Works Like a Nap
There are things that can have nearly the same effect on the body as a nap that you may want to try if there isn't a nap-taking policy at your office. These include:
- Teeth brushing - strange as it may seem, brushing the teeth can have a surprising wake-up effect.
- Take a walk - even if it is around the block or just up and down the stairs at work, getting the blood pumping can help give a productivity boost.
- Work out - in the same way that a walk helps give a boost, if the office has a gym, a quick workout can help.
- Eat - eating lunch or having a quick protein bar can also help chase away droopy eyes. Hunger can easily make one sleepier than normal.
Napping on the job used to be a sure-fire way to get canned.
However, in today's world, many businesses are seeing the value of a midday nap and allow it.
Whether it is right for your business, only you can decide.