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The Rise of the Remote Work Siesta
Many people who work outside the traditional office environment have admitted to taking a quick nap during their workday. In fact, managers are among the most frequent nappers, according to recent findings. Employers might want to pay attention to subtle signs such as visible facial creases, disheveled hair, or sluggish remarks during virtual meetings with remote staff.
A survey conducted by Amerisleep, a U.S.-based mattress company, revealed that nearly half of remote and hybrid workers admit to taking naps during work hours. This trend has become more common since the rise of remote work due to the pandemic, allowing employees to indulge in moments of sleep that would be impossible in an office setting.
The survey included 1,002 remote and hybrid employees, and 48% of them reported taking naps during their workday. However, another survey finding suggests that managers are more likely to take these breaks than lower-level employees. Approximately 53% of respondents who admitted to napping were managers, compared to 48% of other employees.
Why Should Employers Care?
Employers may wonder why they should care if employees take a short break to rest. One reason is that these naps can add up over time. According to Amerisleep’s survey, the average remote worker spends 1.3 hours on naps during a typical workweek, which translates to nine full 9-to-5 days over the course of a year.
This number could increase in the future, especially considering generational differences in how people approach napping during work hours. For example, nearly 60% of Gen-Z employees said they slept on the clock while working remotely, compared to 51% of Millennials and 39% of Gen-Xers.
Job type also plays a role in whether employees take naps during the day. Marketing and finance professionals topped the list, with 59% in each field reporting they nap during the day. Hospitality/food (54%), education (53%), and retail/e-commerce (51%) workers were not far behind.
Employer Attitudes Toward Napping
While some employers may be upset about the amount of sleeping happening on company time, many are not alarmed. In fact, 36% of company executives said their organizations either encourage or tolerate napping during the workday. Even businesses without formal policies often accept the practice, provided it doesn’t interfere with productivity.
Most managers (73%) support the idea of employees napping during work hours, as long as deadlines are met. This flexibility, once seen as radical, is becoming increasingly accepted in remote work environments.
The Hidden Costs of Napping
Despite this acceptance, there are potential downsides to unregulated napping. Fifty-eight percent of employees who nap during the day said they hide the activity from their bosses. Many schedule fake meetings or use other tactics to appear busy. When caught—10% of respondents admitted to being discovered in the act—employers tend to be more upset about the deception than the actual sleeping.
This behavior can damage trust and lead to resentment. Companies must also consider the impact of napping on productivity. Contrary to expectations, those who nap during the day often report feeling less effective, focused, and motivated than those who don’t nap. Some even struggle to get back into work mode after waking up.
Benefits of Napping Policies
However, there are benefits to allowing napping, provided employees can manage their workload. The survey found that 55% of workers would feel more loyal to employers who permitted daytime napping. In exchange, many said they would be willing to give up certain perks, such as paid time off, company-provided meals, or social events.
For employers, the downside of allowing napping is minimal—primarily having to overlook occasional signs of tiredness during virtual meetings. Overall, the trend of napping in remote work settings seems to be here to stay, and companies are learning to adapt.
