One in four Europeans fall asleep on the Job

http://www.onrec.com/content2/news.asp?ID=4129

One in four Europeans fall asleep on the Job
18/05/2004

Long working hours, repetitive tasks, long meetings with no breaks, stuffy environments and computer screens are some of the factors that contribute to workers falling asleep at work. The consequences of a sleepy workforce are not only financially linked. Sleeping at work is also a sign of a non-motivated, non-challenged workforce or of over-worked staff. What is the situation like in Europe? Leading recruitment website Monster asked over 21,000 Europeans if they had ever fallen asleep at work.

The Monster Meter asked, "Have you ever fallen asleep at work?" 21,489 Europeans placed a vote, revealing:

39% (8,382) No, but sometimes it’s a big challenge to stay awake
37% (7,999) No, never 
13% (2,751) Yes, at my desk
6% (1,285) Yes, during a meeting 
5% (1,072) Yes, in the bathroom

Monster.ie results

35% (8,382) No, but sometimes it’s a big challenge to stay awake
25% (7,999) No, never 
23% (2,751) Yes, at my desk
7% (1,285) Yes, during a meeting 
7% (1,072) Yes, in the bathroom

The Irish and Brits are the sleepiest workers in Europe. Nearly 40% of Irish respondents said they had fallen asleep at work, mainly at their desks (24%), whilst around 35% of Brits admitted to falling at sleep at work, 20% of them at their desks and 9% during a meeting. Long hours and mid week socialising are popular in these countries and contribute to such effects.

snip....

I recently worked for a few days at our London office (env. engineers/scientists), and when we went out for lunch everyone had 1 or 2 pints of beer with lunch. Here in the states we wouldn't dare have alcohol during the workday, especially in front of our supervisors like they do in the UK.

Maybe the nodding off is from too much boozing at noon.

I thought you meant ... well ...

Many of the people I know who are my age report the same experience that I have - at work or at home or anywhere, the urge to take an early afternoon nap is nearly overwhelming. Somewhere between 1 and 3 in the afternoon, sleepiness is a huge problem. Then it just goes away. I have it at work and many of my co-workers, most of whom are women in my general age group experience it too. Had a scary moment this weekend and it wasn't at work. I started a 200 mile drive during that period. Had a hell of a time staying awake and alert until about 4 PM, when just like at work, the urge to nap simply went away.