Are You Allowed to Sleep On the Job?

There's a New Trend That Has Employees Sleeping on The Job

It used to be that falling asleep on the job would get you fired, but according to U.S. News & World Report, now more employers are allowing -- and even encouraging -- workers to nap on the clock. Nancy Collop is the president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and she says that most people don't get the recommended eight hours of sleep at night. So a nap can be a lifesaver at work, and a lot of companies are now recognizing the benefits of letting their employees catch a nap. For example, studies show that:

• Naps give your immune system boost, so you're less likely to come down with a cold or the flu, which means you'll use fewer sick days.

• Napping can also put you in a better mood at the office, and during meetings with clients. It can also make you more productive.

• Another benefit of napping: Enhanced brainpower. Researchers say that napping can push employees into their most energetic and creative state of mind.

• Studies show that people who take a 20-minute nap every day are 37 percent less likely to die of heart disease.

Susan Bolotin is the editor at Workman Publishing -- which has allowed on-the-job napping since 2007. She says it's had a positive effect on her office because staffers who close their eyes for 10 or 15 minutes wake up feeling completely refreshed. Some companies -- like Nike, Pizza Hut and Google -- provide special reclining chairs or designated "renewal rooms" for power naps. Executives say that employees usually sleep during their lunch breaks and are on an honor system, so they don't tend to abuse the privilege. Other companies - like Time Warner and Yahoo -- go a step further: They outsource their napping to Yelo Spa, which customizes nap rooms with aromatherapy, quiet music, sounds of nature, and mood lighting. A 20-minute nap costs employees $15, and business is up 25 percent from last year!

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