9 in 10 employees believe an hourís Siesta can enhance work performance

A survey of 1297 workers in the UK by Peninsula the employment law consultancy has shown that 87% believe that they should be allowed an extra hour off work to have a siesta.

- 87% of workers believe that a siesta would enhance work performance

- 78% of bosses consider siestas to have a negative effect on workplace productivity

Based on a polled survey of 1297 workers from across the United Kingdom

Peter Done, Managing Director of Peninsula provides quote and comment

8 in 10 workers believe they should be given the opportunity to have a siesta like their Spanish counterparts, helping productivity. Power naps are becoming ever increasingly sought after by those with a busy and hectic life. People are finding the stresses of everyday life, both work and home life ever more consuming upon there much needed personal time to rest. During work time should the employer allow for a rest period during working hours to allow for a more productive employee? Or can it be seen that the rest period would slow down work levels and have a negative effect on the companyís efficiency.

Whilst most employers would probably think that the idea of allowing their staff to sleep during work hours as un-necessary and a liberty not worth issuing, they need to be aware that many employees find that during the afternoon hours their productivity levels drop. The argument on their grounds is that having a siesta can help to increase these drops in productivity and therefore help to reduce careless mistakes that some employees make. These mistakes often cost companies thousands of pounds to rectify.

The diet of an employee can also be a major influence on their attention and efficiency. Having a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water can help combat the afternoon blues which many employees go through after their lunch break. Employers can ensure that their workers have accessible healthy food and water by installing vending machines with nourishing food items available and drinking water which can help with concentration.

The idea of taking a break during normal working hours for some is almost reminiscent of childhood where a mid-afternoon nap was vital in order to function throughout the rest of the day. An employer must be aware that regular breaks can help with the concentration of their workers. A happy medium needs to be found where-by the employee has enough time to relax but the company productivity levels need to be kept to a high standard.