Bengaluru start-up gives its employees 'right to nap' at work

We’ve all had those days where we force ourselves to work a little bit longer, even if our eyelids struggle to stay open and our thoughts appear to tumble out of our heads just as our bodies try to sleep…at work.

Yes, we’re talking about those awful days when no amount of coffee can keep us up and we desperately need a nap, but who will let us do that at work?

Wakefit co-founder Chaitanya Ramalingegowda declared a 30-minute “official nap time” for its employees.

Ramalingegowda wrote in an email, “We have been in the business of sleep for over six years now and yet have failed to do justice to a crucial aspect of rest – the afternoon nap. We have always taken naps seriously, but starting today, we will be taking things up a notch.”

He claims that a 26-minute catnap can boost performance by 33%, according to NASA research, and that naps can avoid burnout, according to a Harvard study.

“We have decided to normalise afternoon naps at work and declare 2 to 2:30 pm as official nap time for all our employees. From now on, you will have the right to nap between 2 to 2:30 pm,” the email said.

“Your calendar will be blocked during this time as official nap time.”

Wakefit is also focused on constructing cozy sleep pods and quiet rooms for its staff to create the ideal slumber experience.

“Looking forward to catching you sleeping at work”, signs off Ramalingegowda.