A company that encourages employees to take a post-lunch siesta

While many office-goers might be struggling to keep their eyes open after a sumptuous lunch, a logistics firm in Jebel Ali is telling its staff it is OK to take power naps.

DUBAI // To cope with the long hours and work pressure, a company in Dubai is encouraging its staff to nod off at their desks, albeit for just an hour.

While many office workers might be struggling to keep their eyes open after a sumptuous lunch, a logistics firm in Jebel Ali is telling its staff it is OK to take power naps, a practice popular in companies in the US and Europe.

About 12 employees from Esskay Logistics LLC and their company boss switch off lights for some quick shut-eye either at their desks or at their warehouse for an hour, in an attempt to improve alertness and productivity.

“I take a little bit of a nap during lunchtime for about 30 to 45 minutes,” said 31-year-old Jackie Bucas, the company’s operations coordinator.

“I sleep at my table. I find the short sleep helps me. I use my computer all day and this helps give my eyes some rest,” said Ms Bucas, who joined the company last year.

The Filipina said she was initially taken aback by the unique work culture at the firm, which operates from 8am to 5pm six days a week.

“At first, I only observed what everyone did. Everybody was taking a nap and I started doing the same. I find it helpful and feel refreshed,” she said.

“We also switch off lights to conserve energy while sleeping.”

The company boss said he came up with the plan after finding that a siesta worked wonders for him.

“After lunch, everyone feels a bit sleepy,” said Shivkumar N, the chief executive of the firm.

“I have been taking power naps after lunch for the past five years. I realised I worked better. I was more productive, active and not tired at the end of the day. So, I started this at the company back in 2011 and requested all my staff to take a nap as well.”

Staff agreed that the siesta rejuvenated them and helped to recover their energy.

“It is good for workers like me,” said Dilshad Mohammed, 40, a labourer. “There is air conditioning in the warehouse to sleep. I feel ready to work again.”

Mr Mohammed, from Pakistan, said all companies in the UAE should encourage their employees to do the same.

“I used to sleep after work in Pakistan. But I haven’t seen other companies in Dubai do this. Everybody should give workers and office staff time to rest.”

Mr Shivkumar said he may not be alone in getting his staff to have a short snooze.

“I am sure a number of multinational companies must be doing this as well,” he said.

Power naps are becoming increasingly popular at workplaces around the world as employers realise the benefits to productivity.

A study by by Nasa, the US space agency, found that taking a nap increased performance by as much as 34 per cent.

The ideal napping time is between 1pm and 3pm, where studies reveal that the mini-dip in energy people experience between these times is biological and not because they just had lunch.

Several companies, such as Google and Nike, provide napping rooms and sleep pods for their employees.

But staff at the Jebel Ali firm sleep at their desks, while its labourers use the warehouse.

“If I give them a bed, it could become a long nap. I don’t want them to get that comfortable. Some of the labourers bring their own mats and bedsheets. We provide reclining chairs in the office,” Mr Shivkumar said.

Some, however, use the rest time to catch up on work.

“If there is urgent work to be completed, I don’t sleep,” said George Pereira, 50, an operations supervisor. “But I rest when I can. It helps me become fresh. I am glad the management tells us to take naps. It is a good idea.”

The company hopes to get a masseur next month to give its male workers a relaxing shoulder rub.

“He will give them 15 minutes of head and shoulder massage once a week, for just the males. The head and shoulders get stiff after working long hours and this should relax them,” Mr Shivkumar said.