How common is it to nap at your desk during lunch break?

r/

My brother and my dad right now are INSISTING that no one on Earth ever does that, despite me telling them that I’ve seen it many times with my own eyes. They’re saying it’s incredibly weird, that it’ll get me either fired or passed up for a promotion, that anyone who does that is clearly doing the bare minimum, etc.

Like, I’ve seen it. Probably 20% of my coworkers do it. My dad and brother have gone as far as to insist that when you’re on lunch break, you’re “not really on your own time,” and just now my brother said “make sure to ask if napping at your desk will hurt or help your career prospects.”

They’ve even suggested that a coworker may get pictures taken of them and passed all around the office, and if that happened, they wouldn’t even TELL the person in the picture about it, they’d just say “lol yeah what a weirdo, sleeping at their desk on their own time.”

EDIT: what I’m talking about is literally just leaning back in your chair and shutting your eyes and falling asleep, or just shutting your eyes and relaxing. It’d still look like you’re asleep. I feel like a lot of commenters believe I’m talking about setting up with a pillow and blanket or something. That’d be a little ridiculous.

Comments

  1. AccountNumber478 Avatar

    In an office setting, that’s NOT typical.

    Unless you arrange with your boss to nap (and if so, that’s usually someplace other than at your desk among other coworkers if not customers) you can get fired. I had a buddy who came to work after a marathon gaming session that Sunday night and he fell asleep, snoring, at his desk. Unfortunately the big boss happened to stop by and noticed him and he got fired that day.

  2. Active_Dot3158 Avatar

    On the very rare situations where I needed a nap during my lunch break, I go to my car and do it there. People will judge you for sleeping at work even if its technically your “lunch break”.

  3. whatsthis1901 Avatar

    I have done it and have never had a problem. When I worked in a surgeon’s office, we would use the empty exam rooms for lunch naps lol.

  4. shoresy99 Avatar

    I have been working for almost 35 years and have pretty much never seen it.

  5. Homiehopperhiga221 Avatar

    This is 100% not a black and white question lol idk why some people making it seem like it is. It literally just depends on your workplace culture

  6. _Red_7_ Avatar

    Huh? I just woke up… what’d I miss?

    Now that I have my own office and can close the door, I’ll take the occasional nap on my lunch break…but only during my official lunch break time.

    Back when I was in cubicle hell, I’d never nap during lunch. that was a surefire way to wake up to find out my coworkers did something to mess with me.

  7. Tall-Green-2029 Avatar

    As a supervisor, it would lower my opinion of my employee if I saw them napping at their desk.

  8. MadderHatter32 Avatar

    I nap in my car sometimes because I don’t have a desk lol But I have a coworker who will go sit at the 3rd supervisor’s desk and take naps on his lunch break. He literally went to the supervisor and asked “Can I sleep at your desk on my break?” He said why not? I won’t be using it, knock yourself out.

  9. aitzaprez Avatar

    In some countries, like Japan and South Korea, apparently it is a common practice to take a nap at work on your break time. Contrary to this side of the world, people who takes a nap at work it is seen as someone who works hard and it is just tired. 

    I’m not from those countries and I would do it if I did not feel like going no where for my break. Maybe I would leave a note like: I’m on my break. Do not disturb.

    If in doubt, just ask your superior if it’s ok with them.

  10. absolutely_same Avatar

    This is CRAZY to me since I nap under my desk on breaks and lunches if I’m zapped. I have my own office though. No one here cares. My boss thinks it’s funny.

  11. Anxious_Front_7157 Avatar

    The mattress store is my office. I do NOT nap there.

  12. SmittenKitten0303 Avatar

    I don’t think it’s super common. I’ve only seen it twice. Once was an older co worker who would do little power naps sitting upright in her chair at lunch (since retired) and another was a co-worker who while here on his two week notice showed me how he would crawl under his desk and take naps when he wasn’t busy but set it up where anyone walking by would just think he stepped out.

  13. SSlipknot Avatar

    I’ve never seen someone do this. I have had a boss go out to their car and sleep on break. Sadly the context probably wouldn’t matter, would be seen negatively if a boss saw it or another employee who isn’t on a break.

  14. kattemus Avatar

    I had a manager once that did that. He was fired straight away!

  15. BrewboyEd Avatar

    At desk or in view of coworkers/customers was a no no when I worked but a few people would grab a nap at lunchtime in their car in the parking lot during their lunch hour. We actually counseled someone who tried to bring a pillow/blanket to her cube and sleep during lunch under it. Uh, nope…

  16. Bitter_Face8790 Avatar

    I’ve seen it very often in Japan but never in the US

  17. Federal-Zucchini-378 Avatar

    I’d worry about a colleagues wellbeing if I saw them doing this

  18. Besieger13 Avatar

    I think it really depends on your place of employment, the coworkers, and the culture that has been set. At my job no one would bat an eye, but I definitely know there are some out there where it would be very frowned upon. You would probably know better than anyone here what your work would think about it.

  19. SquareAd7423 Avatar

    In the US it is not common and would be frowned upon

  20. Serious_Arugula2960 Avatar

    Your break. Do whatever you want. I think most people sleep in car on break tho

  21. AppointmentTasty2128 Avatar

    I’m 100% sure sleeping at the office would be the beginning of the end in my line of work

  22. AverageSizePeen800 Avatar

    It is not common at all…I go to the car.

  23. handawanda Avatar

    Perspective from SE United States — very uncommon, would be viewed as strange, and yes probably a bad move for your career. Not saying that is the way it should be — but yes, that’s the way it is.

  24. iFoegot Avatar

    Depends on where you are. In east Asia it’s the norm

  25. GrinerIHaha Avatar

    Napped during breaks at some of my former jobs. When I worked at an abattoir, it was in the break room, and when I was teaching it was at my desk. I’m Danish though, so the work culture is probably significantly different.

  26. KSCarbon Avatar

    I’m sure this completely depends on culture and industry. I have worked in manufacturing most of my life, and it is very common. It’s common on the shop floor and in the offices. At the places that it was frowned upon, people just napped in their car.

  27. cantswimbutfish Avatar

    I got fired for doing exactly this on my lunch break at my desk, my supervisor said it would’ve been more proffesional to take a nap in my car instead.

  28. ZomberiaRPG Avatar

    My partner used to be a work napper when he worked a factory job, and when he worked odd shifts in an office. No one questioned it, apparently. His friends would send me goofy pictures of him napping.

    I’ve only had one office job where people would nap at work. They would nap under their desks on breaks or lunch. The pregnant lady napped whenever. So one time when I was sick and really struggling, I decided to nap in an empty conference room on my break. Someone came looking for me and told me it was unacceptable! When I asked why it was ok for the others, I was told it was because they had conditions that made them need to nap. I said I was sick, which they knew, and they told me that was not an appropriate reason. Go fig.

    So I don’t think it’s too uncommon, but prob not the best work behavior.

  29. Aggravating_Belt8674 Avatar

    Now I do have my own office but I take a 20 minute nap EVERY day. It is how make it through my day. My staff knows if my door is closed to leave me alone. It’s good for your health. Work culture is so backward sometimes.

  30. Namika Avatar

    Depends on local culture.

    In the US it’s fairly uncommon though.

  31. zcewaunt Avatar

    I would do it, but I find it hard to sleep in public. No offense, but your Dad and bro sound like bootlickers.

  32. ItAintMe_2023 Avatar

    I do it from time to time and it’s not a big deal. I have an office though where I can close my door, and my lunch time privacy, as well as others, is respected so that we don’t barge in on each other.

  33. One_Culture8245 Avatar

    I do it daily. Have my own private office though.

  34. mid-random Avatar

    Totally dependent on the culture of your workplace. I’ve always been a salaried employee with very reasonable companies for the last 35 years, and what matters is that I get done what needs to be done. If I really need a nap, at whatever time, I just inform my colleagues, “Hey, I need a nap; give me half an hour, but if you need me feel free to wake me.” Same goes for everyone. 

    But that’s in business cultures that treat everyone as responsible adults. Employees that do not act like responsible adults don’t last long. This has been in office techie jobs, hands-on craftsman jobs, university teaching jobs, all on the east coast of the US. Many people, probably most, have not been as fortunate as I.

  35. Weak-Ganache-1566 Avatar

    Never seen it once, or even heard of it, across multiple companies and 30 years

  36. Bobbob34 Avatar

    >Like, I’ve seen it. Probably 20% of my coworkers do it. 

    I can’t quite believe this. Noplace have I ever seen anything like that, save an executive with a couch who will close the door and say they’re taking a 15-minute power nap, but that’s not super usual.

  37. goldentone Avatar

    Sure a break is a worker’s own time, but their desk is not their own space. The building they are in is not their own space. Go to your car if you want a nap.

    Maybe your dad and brother don’t understand the company culture where you work, but they are not wrong to assume that the default impression one gives by sleeping at work is not a good one. I don’t understand why you’re so indignant at the idea of sleeping in an office looking a little weird.

  38. lady-earendil Avatar

    My husband will sometimes go out to his car and nap during his lunch break, but he wouldn’t at his desk

  39. Darkness-fading Avatar

    I’ve never seen that in an office environment. I have seen it in industrial jobs, people napping in the lunch room or their car at lunch… Even at industrial jobs every time I seen it it was always a person that worked two jobs, or was held over for a 16 hr shift. If you feel the need to sleep at work and you don’t have a very physically demanding job or work way too many hours you may want to revamp your sleep schedule, or see a doctor.

  40. QuizzicalWizard Avatar

    At my last job, I wasn’t even allowed to read a book while eating lunch at my desk, so…

  41. WonderLily364 Avatar

    Everywhere I’ve worked there has been at least 1 person who naps on lunch.
    I worked with a guy who could snag a 10min power nap on his break. I was always so impressed by it.

  42. eyelers Avatar

    My dad was a machinist for 40 years and took a nap at lunch every day

  43. RelChan2_0 Avatar

    Very common in Southeast Asia but I can’t get myself to sleep in a public place.

  44. LostExile7555 Avatar

    At lunch, basically never. During one of my breaks when I’m working OT, absolutely.

  45. Atty_for_hire Avatar

    First, elder millennial for age reference as workplace trends change over time.

    In my experience, it’s not that common in my government office. I wouldn’t say it’s frowned upon, but people pass judgement if it’s a routine occurrence. I’m fortunate to have an office and before that a large cubicle. I have a lumbar pillow that doubles as a nap pillow on the rare occasions I need a mid-day nap, which doesn’t happen as much as it used to. About five years ago, I may have taken one too many naps under my desk at lunch because I was a hungover and sleep deprived because of it. I’m older now and can’t behave in the same way. Yes, under my desk. I’d lay down on the floor with the pillow and mostly be under my desk for privacy so fewer people say me. If I need to do it now, I simply close and lock my office door.

    I hired a junior employee last year who had a habit of stretching out on the work couch for a nap with a plushy. I was the supervisor so a few people said things about the napping employee, from jesting to a snide comments. I didn’t really care even if it wasn’t a good look. I am very much of the opinion that so long as you aren’t getting drunk/high at lunch do what you want with your time. It became a problem when they started to go home for lunch (we get an hour) and would fall asleep at home and then be late getting back to work on a regular basis.

    So I say all this as a supervisor who doesn’t care whether someone naps at lunch. But I’m in the minority and despite not caring, I do judge a bit if it’s a routine thing that somehow becomes unprofessional or not the one off or rate event.

  46. paypiggie111 Avatar

    I’ve never seen it but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens sometimes

  47. Afraid-Match5311 Avatar

    I work in the commercial fishing industry in Alaska and lemme tell you, we fucking sleep everywhere.

    I’ve caught my z’s on the toilet, in the bar, in the office, next to the time clock, in the galley, etc.

    Not a single fuckin person in our remote village gets their sleep during the run. Not even the police here will harass you if you’re knocked out on a public bench with your boots on.

  48. Equivalent_Tiger_7 Avatar

    I used to actually go to bed during my lunch break!

  49. TamanduaGirl Avatar

    When I worked for a petting zoo I would take naps during my breaks on the hay bails. I’d totally nap during a desk job too but maybe find somewhere not at the desk if possible.

  50. Artistic_Ad4753 Avatar

    Iv never been to sleep at work unless I been working away

  51. bric33 Avatar

    I do it. I don’t see anyone else at my office doing it. I don’t care what anyone thinks.

  52. Unlucky-Definition91 Avatar

    I sleep in my car on my lunch break at minimum twice a week.

  53. Fearless-Dog942 Avatar

    You never want to be seen “sleeping” on the job, even if you’re on break, you don’t sleep or just relax in your workplace. That’s a no no.

    If you need a nap, always just clock out for your regular break or your lunch break, step out of the workplace, and take a nap in your car or something. Don’t just sleep at your job, because it’s not a good look. Hell, if the big boss is at the parking lot, and they see you sleeping in your car while work hours, they probably will think your getting paid to sleep, even if you actually are clocked out.

    Nobody wants to pay somebody so they can take a nap on the company’s work desk. When you go to work, you need to work. If they see you taking a nap multiple times, the company can just let you go at any time, because they only want to pay you money if you work, and they won’t if your seen taking a nap on the job. Also, when it comes time for you to potentially get a raise or ask for a raise, they can use the “taking a nap on the job” thing to not give you a raise, and you won’t have nothing to say, all you can do at that point is pack up and leave. Anything bad you do, they will use it against you. It’s just how it is.

    Also, your manager may never say nothing to you, but if you ever hear anything bad about you from your assistant manager or (whoever the assistant is if there is one at your job) or if it sounds like they are trying to give you a heads up about something you are doing, that means your actual manager or boss was talking about you. People also gotta watch out for the whole chain of commands thing, because you might get along very well with the assistant manager, but they most likely will tell everything you say to the actual big boss manager. Never be close friends with any managers, because that will mess you up one day. Ask me how I know!

  54. amibeingtrolled Avatar

    I nap at my desk after my lunch break.

  55. StragglingShadow Avatar

    Nap every lunch break. My lunch is an hour so I eat in 20-30 mins and nap the rest of lunch. Its how I get my 2nd wind.

  56. chasingit1 Avatar

    Costanza knows ⏰

  57. manaMissile Avatar

    I have seen this. Mostly in the lunch room though and not at your desk. Some people will put their head into their arms and just sleep at the table. I think as long as you’re still in the confines of your lunch break, no one at my company cares.

  58. WealthTop3428 Avatar

    Not a thing in real careers in the USA. Maybe if you are old, getting ready for retirement and have your own office. I can’t imagine just napping in a cubical or open office as you seem to be claiming. How weird to just be unconscious around a bunch of virtual strangers. Where do you work?

  59. judyjetsonne Avatar

    i sit in a corner so occasionally at noon I put my head down and have a cat nap. I don’t think anyone has even noticed. If I did that during regular work hours though, it wouldn’t be well received.

  60. the_dab_lord Avatar

    This probably depends on where you work and who your coworkers are. At my work I’ve taken a few naps, and have seen my coworkers occasionally mention taking a nap on break. It’s not a regular daily thing, but it’s also not something any of us are ashamed of doing if we happen to be that tired during a break period. 

  61. I_SELL_DMT-CARTS_HMU Avatar

    I’ve never seen it nor have I ever even heard it unironically mentioned. I don’t think it’s common at all.

  62. BeautifulSpring1715 Avatar

    I’m a pretty prolific lunch break napper but I would never do it anywhere people could see me

  63. nixiedust Avatar

    I’d say the idea of napping is more common now, but it’s typically something you do in the employee lounge/break room or your car, depending on the kind of workplace. Some offices even have nap pods. I think napping at your desk can look sloppy and you might bother people if you snore or fart.

  64. quietstorms09 Avatar

    I work in a corporate office, open cubicles, think like half wall cubicles so everyone is very visible as you’re walking around. I see lots of people sitting at their desks on their lunch breaks, usually playing on their phones, reading or sometimes (rarely) even playing handheld games. But sleeping? Almost never. Actually, today on my way to my own lunch break I saw a guy doing exactly what you described, leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, mouth hanging agape and it struck me how weird it looked. Imo it looks way worse than reading or doom scrolling at your desk, nobody knows if you’re really on your lunch break or just being lazy. Some C-level could walk by and think “hmm maybe it’s time to trim the fat of this department…” It’s just bad professional vibes, go take a nap in the privacy of your car.

  65. GrizzlyGuru42 Avatar

    I’m nearing 50. I don’t choose to nap at by desk, it just happens whether I want to or not.

  66. BPposy Avatar

    Nap in my car every day at lunch.

  67. SunLitAngel Avatar

    I have been know. to put my head down in the breakroom. While your desk may be quieter, it LOOKS like you should be working.

  68. BubbhaJebus Avatar

    It’s very common in Taiwan at lunch time.

  69. najing803 Avatar

    I’ve seen a supervisor do it at my old job, but most ppl just go to their car as far as I kno

  70. Mooofish3 Avatar

    It’s not common at all where I am, never seen someone do it.

    In most places they shouldn’t care, but it’s ignorant to think that no bosses or coworkers will make assumptions.

    Unfortunately there are still older mentalities around that think if you’re dedicated you should work through your lunch, and if you’re sleeping at lunch you aren’t fully present and ready to go during work hours.

    When I worked for my state government (health and human services), they actually had a closed off makeshift bed put together with 2 cubicles for people that really needed a nap. But honestly I think it was really meant for new parents and people with chronic illnesses, I definitely would have gotten looks for using it as a able bodied early 20’s guy.

  71. maybemagannot Avatar

    Old work place used to have this ‘wellness’ room with a reclining chair. 100% privacy. I wouldn’t nap at the work desk. It make me look lazy.

  72. AttentionAloof Avatar

    I think it’s pretty rare in western office culture, but not unheard of, especially in research/academia. I nap in my lab all the time while my simulations run. I even set it up to set an alarm off on my phone and wake me up when they’re done. I also know lots of professors who nap in their offices frequently. Odds are that if a prof has a couch in their office, they nap on that thing frequently.

  73. lifelong1250 Avatar

    Obviously you don’t live in Vietnam.

  74. No-Cryptographer5963 Avatar

    I just go home to my bed.

    If I could nap sitting up like that I would tho. Office lighting is a bitch.

  75. AskMeAboutMyStalker Avatar

    it’s always possible you have a super laid back office culture where that’s ok but that’s certainly not the norm.

    I imagine in most places, you’d get a talking to by your superior & if you kept it up, that would escalate

  76. HawaiianShirtsOR Avatar

    I did when I worked in an office. I put up a little sign to explain to passing coworkers that I was napping on my lunch break and that I had an alarm set on my phone to wake me when my break was over.

    One coworker deliberately woke me twice for no good reason, but otherwise it worked.

  77. esushi Avatar

    I have worked in an office for 20 years. Never seen it once and I think most people would definitely think it was some combination of weird, sad, or troubling (is the person sick or having a bad time at home?). If you really are seeing people do it at your office it must’ve been 1 person who tried it out and just happened to have some unusually accepting people around.

  78. Then-Jackfruit-6180 Avatar

    Not very. If you have a desk and are at it, Most people have to look potentially busy. Some places have panic rooms without windows that might work but many don’t. Cars your best bet for a nap

  79. pweciosu Avatar

    Oop. I nap at my desk during lunch break. I used to go to the cafeteria area but there was a lot of noise, and I used to go to my car but it’s a 10min walk there and then 10min back so I wouldn’t maximize my 1hr lunch break nap. ):

    There was someone who napped on the clock at work– he just got moved buildings. 🤣

  80. it5chri5tine Avatar

    I’ve never seen that before. At one of my previous offices there was a nap room, but it didn’t seem to get used. Generally people seem to wind down in the afternoon and then grab coffee.

  81. BathingWthToasters Avatar

    It isnt common ya fuckin weirdo lol. Jk on the harshness, just go to the car. Depending on the place if there is an extra room they might bot mind but I do agree that for some reason, sleeping AT the desk gives higher ups a feeling like thats what you do all day. If youre in big corporate they might just judge that that is how you handle yourself all the time. I know its stupid and unfair, but I can definitely see it. That is, unless you are ina small biz and everyone knows thats your routine and you still get shit done, then go for it. Or look for a job in japan 😛

  82. WetSneezer Avatar

    This is entirely dependent on your country’s culture and your company’s culture.

    If you’re at a company in the US this would be abnormal, but may be accepted in more “fun” or understanding workplaces. 

    For example this is definitely not unheard of at some tech startups even in the US, but it’s not common most places.

  83. FormicaDinette33 Avatar

    I haven’t seen anyone do that. I get sleepy after lunch and hate it! Some go to their car to take a nap.

  84. Realladaniella Avatar

    I have a nap couch next to my desk

  85. YoYoMavaIous Avatar

    My office has designated nap rooms to use on lunch/breaks

  86. Toriat5144 Avatar

    Never seen it in the office. I have seen people nod out for a few seconds or a minute or so. If you can go out to your car, and take a nap, set an alarm on your phone.

  87. Gloomy_Skin8531 Avatar

    Working at an HQ for a global agriculture company, I’ve seen many many lazy coworkers, people with med side effects, and just tired people take naps face down at their desk.

  88. ___Moony___ Avatar

    It’s not common, mostly because people are fucking gossips and it’s not worth fueling that. A shitty boss might note this to higher-ups or even new job prospects as well.

  89. Koskani Avatar

    You’d get fired at my job pretty much on the spot if they caught you sleeping anywhere in the office lol

    Just go take a nap in your car

  90. giraffesinmyhair Avatar

    It depends on what you do and where you are. But in North America? Unless it’s a dead-end job that’s a pretty bad look that will probably get you flagged as lazy or disorganized and is definitely something expected to be done on the down low in your car.

    I did that a lot in college and I think here it is still perceived as very juvenile behaviour at best. At worst, people will begin to question if you can perform your job correctly if you’re so sleep-deprived that you need nap time. And they’ll let you go.

  91. d2cole Avatar

    Dang, reading through the comments, I’m in the minority. There’s been at least one or two people at all my jobs who’ll squeeze in a quick power nap during their 15s or lunches.

  92. FinanciallySecure9 Avatar

    In all of the offices I’ve worked in, if you fall asleep at your desk you’re sent home. Three times and you’re fired.

    It’s not about fatigue for the company, it’s about how the company looks to other employees and to potential visitors.

    You’re only at work for 8 hours. You have 16 hours to do as you please. Sleep on your own time, in your own space.

  93. yungingr Avatar

    Hell, I used to roll up my coat like a pillow, lay down on the floor UNDER my desk, and catch 20 over lunch. Bonus points in the winter when I had a small space heater under there.

    Now I drive to a city park alongside the lake and catch a short nap there.

  94. FCUK12345678 Avatar

    If people see it in a real job you will get written up and possibly fired. This practice is frowned upon. If you want to nap do it somewhere where no one can see you.

  95. MasterSyphadius Avatar

    It is very common in europe and parts of asia, actually it’s encouraged to do so as it increases alertness and productivity. Especially in manufacturing or assembly lines. It was also implemented at the head office of ATi technologies, when i worked there, i would often walk the assembly floor after lunch and the lights were dimmed low and it was super quiet.

  96. CitizenHuman Avatar

    Probably depends on location. In a Western country, it would probably just look out of place. Not sure on the affect on job prospects.

    My dad had a work trip in China like 20 years ago, and he said that at one point an alarm went off in the building and all the lights went out.

    Then all the engineers busted out a little pillow and rested their head on the desk. The translator told my dad that they get a designated nap time every day (possibly because they basically lived in the office).

  97. penalty-venture Avatar

    USA, I absolutely napped at my desk after lunch when I had my own office & a door that closed, especially during pregnancy. But any other office setup, I went to my car for naps.

  98. butterflyofsadness13 Avatar

    On my breaks, I’ll go sit in my car, recline the seat all the way back, and relax. I never actually fall asleep, but I have an alarm just in case. Falling asleep at your desk is a little weird. Besides, I wouldn’t feel comfortable enough to do it. At least in my car I can lock all the doors.

  99. Torpid_Intrigue Avatar

    Never okay to sleep at work in American work culture. People will assume you don’t have your shit together if you can’t manage to get a decent night’s sleep.

  100. thebig05 Avatar

    I WFH. Super common 

  101. Straight-Suit-3474 Avatar

    My dad got fired from a job for closing his eyes on his lunch break at his desk. He wasn’t even asleep.

  102. NsaAgent25 Avatar

    It would depend on what type of work you do and/or what the culture where you are is like. It’s pretty abnormal to see someone sleeping at their desk but it is known that a very large amount of the population will take a nap when given a break and it is often beneficial to their health. You just don’t see someone passed out at their desk but they may leave on lunch break to sleep in their car.

  103. whiskeyriver0987 Avatar

    Our office has like 80 people, there’s 4 or 5 that do this pretty regularly, mostly guys that are over 50.

  104. Aladinbs Avatar

    I see it all the time, but then again I work from home

  105. PlumSand Avatar

    I’ve def closed the door and napped on the floor

  106. joe_frank Avatar

    Unless there are 5 people in the office and you’re the one who makes up that 20%, I refuse to believe that 20% of your coworkers have fallen asleep at their desk during lunch.

    I’ve worked in retail, and also in professional offices with 10 people and offices with 5,000 people. I’ve never once seen someone sleeping at their desk.

  107. RGBjank101 Avatar

    Some people eat their lunch fast and take a 30 minute nap before going back to work. It’s not uncommon.

  108. someguyonredd1t Avatar

    If I saw an employee sleeping at their desk on their break, I’d think they either weren’t feeling well or had been going through some rough personal issues. I’d skip it. Very poor optics.

  109. ShockingJob27 Avatar

    I got called in at 1am the other week.
    Was supposed to start at 6. Finished the job at 4am, 45 mins to get home and have to get up at 5ish to get in for 6.

    So I went and put my feet up in canteen fully expecting one of the guys to wake me up when they come in, one of tbe managers come in saw me there and heard what I did so was standing by the door telling everyone to keep the noise down, I’m only to be disturbed for emergencies lol.

    I woke up around 7 really confused, he said now you’ve had some sleep you can go home, your being paid from 1am till 10am, if I need you I’ll call you.

    Got employee of the month and recommended for a raise.

    Napping at work can help you, if your napping because of them lol

  110. StarsForget Avatar

    I’ve slept at my desk, in the break room, on the floor, and in my car. As long as you’re on your own time and not disruptive or unprofessional about it, it’s not really anyone’s business. It’s definitely more common now than it was a generation ago though.

  111. Zealousideal-Tie-940 Avatar

    It strikes me as really immature and awkward. Maybe if you have a private office or a “rest” room and a door to close, but even then you would have to be really discrete. I would either be worried about you, wonder if I was supposed to wake you up when break was over, or feel like I had to tiptoe around so as not to disturb you.

    It’s innapropriate for most workplaces.

  112. Own-Lemon8708 Avatar

    Yea thats likely an Instant firing everywhere I’ve worked, and I’ve actually been in pretty relaxed environments. Definitely do it in your car or at least sneak off to some unused room.

  113. omysweede Avatar

    It is not common. It would be extremely weird.

    Is this your first workplace?

    If you need some shut eye or a time off during your lunch break: go to a park? Go to the loo? Find a prayer room?

    At your desk, you’d be fired unless you were a manager

  114. Particular_Mulberry1 Avatar

    Pretty uncommon, just go to your car lol

  115. Tyfoid-Kid Avatar

    About 10 years ago the guy across the aisle from had a little bed setup under his work surface. I’d see him slide in there for a power nap now and again. Seemed like a good idea to me.

  116. ContributionDry2252 Avatar

    I do quite often take a nap after lunch, but in my bed, not at the desk. Much more comfortable.

  117. DarkLordKohan Avatar

    I wouldnt expect any job to normally allow naps in the workplace. There would be exception based on context.

    Doctor/nurses pulling long shifts, they go to designated areas.

    Big tech where they actually want you at work 24/7, yes, but go to nap area.

    Normal office, not likely. A lot of offices love finding ways to get rid of people, and sleeping is a super easy pink slip.

  118. whateverbacon Avatar

    Feeling called out by your edit 😂 at my old job i had an hour-long break and my own office with a door. every day i’d eat for 20m and then spend 40m curled up under my desk on my yoga mat w my throw blanket and mini pillow. was so relaxing. edited to add: I still got promoted and left of my own accord after a few years, in US nonprofit office. and yes, my boss was aware I took that time to nap.

  119. kyleswiss Avatar

    Highly unprofessional no matter how you want to spin it. Go to your car. Work is not for sleeping at your desk even on a break.

  120. Kriskao Avatar

    I work at a very multinational company. My Chinese colleagues take their lunch time naps almost every day. My Latinos colleagues don’t.

  121. sticky_fingies_ Avatar

    I’ve never seen a single person in my 10+ year (marketing) career take a nap at their desk. That’s not something that’s ever crossed my mind, personally.

  122. PrestigiousCrab6345 Avatar

    If you are falling asleep during the day, you should talk to your doctor about a sleep study. The difference before and after my sleep study was amazing. 1000% more energy. No more nodding off.

  123. Golu9821 Avatar

    I have a couch in my office, i sleep om that at lunch. Before i got the couch i slept on the floor. My coworkers hear me snoring in the hallway

  124. cheesymac84 Avatar

    I have a coworker who goes to their car to nap. I also had the intense urge to nap at lunch. Turns out I had sleep apnea. Once I got on CPAP the urge to nap disappeared

  125. Proper-Photograph-76 Avatar

    Mi compañero y yo metimos un sillon en el vestuario,

  126. Yossarian147 Avatar

    It’s a bad look.

  127. Poiretpants Avatar

    I keep a yoga mat and blanket in my office for naps.

  128. MadRockthethird Avatar

    If you’re in an office with no windows yeah but if you’re in a cubicle nope

  129. Purlz1st Avatar

    I got incredibly sleepy mid-day before my Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed.

  130. Ferowin Avatar

    I’ve fallen asleep in my chair at work a lot. My damn copilot keeps waking me, though.

  131. VioletRiver45 Avatar

    I worked at companies where co-workers take a nap at their desk during lunch time, we had signs on our overhead cabinet that said “On Break” or “At Lunch”. The signs let managers and co-workers know they were on break and not to bother them. Another company, workers would go to their car to take a nap, eat their lunch or read a book.

    I have gone to my car a few times to take a nap or take a break from the office drama and constant chatter.

  132. Aviyes7 Avatar

    All about perception. Even if on your lunch break it doesn’t look good if a higher up walks by. Better to go take a nap in your car.

  133. zookeeper4312 Avatar

    Never done it, wouldn’t consider it at my desk especially! Only because even if u are on lunch the optics of you sitting there passed out are shitty as hell

  134. Sunnywithachance099 Avatar

    In the break toom, yes. Not at their desk.

  135. proximity2eggz Avatar

    I’ve never seen anyone do this, and would find it odd if someone did.

  136. -Bob-Barker- Avatar

    Why wait til lunch?

  137. BackroadAdventure101 Avatar

    I never nap at my desk. I do nap at other people’s desk. I don’t want to drool on my keyboard.

  138. Effective-Pace-5100 Avatar

    I had a job where everyone took lunch from 12-12:30 and I had my own space where I would accidentally fall asleep after finishing my lunch. At my current role it’s definitely frowned upon. I’ve seen one person napping and they weren’t very highly thought of

  139. Worried_Platypus93 Avatar

    I used to do this sometimes in my early 20s. It might have been weird but I didn’t really care I guess. I was working two jobs and in school so that hour in the middle of my day was valuable lol

  140. skabeel Avatar

    I do it every day 👍