Industry Takes Note of Sleep's Benefits
Many companies are now establishing nap rooms and slumber chambers for their employees so that they can take a snooze during their breaks. The concept began in Japan where companies would set up tents and provide sleep masks and ear plugs so that their workers could take naps. This concept is now just reaching Canada and some companies have spent as much as $50,000 USD to set up elaborate nap rooms. Some nap rooms include comfy recliners, blackout curtains and white-noise generators and one even displays an actual running waterfall!
It is suggested that companies deciding to go along with this latest trend have nap policies put in place. Several companies have hired sleep and productivity consultants to organize the nap schedules. They do this so that they can avoid random napping which means falling asleep at your station. This can be dangerous and costly. Instead, controlled napping procedures are established. These are rules such as allowing only 20 minutes for naps and only one nap per shift.
Finally, this latest concept has led to the production of nap time merchandise such as neck pillows, ear plugs, eye masks and slipper socks. Pillows being sold for the on-the-job naps are small enough to conceal under a desk.