Employees who sleep on the job

Fatigue can impair an employee's concentration, coordination, and reaction speed, which in turn can reduce their productivity. Employees who sleep on duty also put themselves, their colleagues, and their employer at risk, writes James Pretorius.

- James Pretorius

Sleeping on duty can be unintentional when an employee dozes off without the intention of doing so.

It can also be deliberate, such as when an employee isolates themselves by hiding somewhere, getting comfortable, and building a temporary bed using material from the workplace.

However, that kind of deliberate misconduct is generally seen as a more serious offence.

When the employer suspects an employee of sleeping on duty, it is vital to obtain proof that the employee is actually sleeping.

The employer can confirm whether an employee is, in fact, sleeping by:

• Recording the employee's behaviour and appearance in writing. Request witnesses to also record their observations in writing. Check for the following common signs:

- Is the employee conscious? In what position is the employee and where were they found?

- Is the employee making any noises, for example, snoring?

- Are there any other physical indicators that the person is sleeping? For example, head nodding or slumping; eyes closed for prolonged periods; lack of responsiveness; or sudden jerks (like they're waking up)?

• Try to attract the employee's attention by doing the following: