Should You Give Employees the Chance to Nap During the Working Day?

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Employers generally frown on the idea of sleeping on the job. However, there are instances where it might be a good idea. Many progressive companies are now letting their employees take short naps. 

While sleeping at work may sound counterproductive, it is a great idea. It gives your employees the chance to recharge. 

Benefits of Daytime Napping 

The optimal nap length is 20 minutes. This is enough time to recharge without feeling sluggish when you wake up. Even though taking 20 minutes off your regular work day may seem like a lot, it actually improves productivity. Here are a few benefits that may come from a daytime nap:

• Reduced fatigue
• Improved performance and productivity
• General relaxation
• Alertness
• Better memory and faster reaction times
• Improved mood
• Better retention of information
• Reduced accidents and mistakes at work
• Taking one to two naps every week could lower your risk of heart failure, stroke, and heart attack.

According to the National Sleep Foundation survey in 2008, about 34 percent of companies in the United States already allow nap breaks. Big companies that allow naps include; Google, Facebook, Huffington Post, and Uber.

Some even have nap rooms and nap pods. Napping on the job is no longer something to be ashamed of.

Implementing a Nap at Work Culture

When trying to implement a nap at work culture, you don’t need to make it a strict policy. Instead of telling your team that they have to sleep at work, educate them on the benefits of a short daytime nap. Let them know that it is an option at your workplace. 

Slight changes work better than strict regulations. They can reduce the stigma surrounding sleeping at work. 

When your employees know that taking naps is beneficial and that there is no shame around it, they are likely to take it up. Sharing credible articles and videos to demonstrate how naps boost productivity could make it easier for them to understand. 

Note that employees won’t always love this idea. Some might prefer to rest in other ways. You would be wise to support their productivity and rest in ways that work best for them. 

What Is the Best Way to Nap at Work? 

There are a few ways to ensure that your employees get the most from their afternoon naps. Here are a few tips:

• Create a Quiet, Restful Environment

If the environment is cluttered or noisy, your employees are unlikely to have a good rest. Ensure that their nap areas are quiet, comfortable, and dark. The room temperature should be moderate, and there should be minimal distractions. 

• Keep Your Naps Short

Limit daytime naps to ten or 20 minutes. If a nap is too long, it could be counterproductive. It could leave you feeling groggy and unproductive. 

• Don’t Nap After 3 p.m.

Consider scheduling your working day naps for the early afternoons. Sleeping in the evening could interfere with employees’ nighttime sleep, leaving them tired in the morning. When determining the ideal time to take a nap, consider your team’s age, medication use, and sleep needs. 

• Rest Time After Naps

Give your employees some time to rest after napping. They shouldn’t have to get to work right after naps. This is especially important for roles that demand quick responses. 

A nap during the workday could be more beneficial than you think. If your employees are yawning or nodding off during meetings, they are probably not as productive as you would like. 

A 20-minute nap could be enough to energize them, improve alertness, and foster a general sense of relaxation. While it may initially seem like a waste of time, taking a nap during the day is a wonderful way to promote wellness at work.