Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#1

Post by addict3d » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 11:59 AM UTC

As an engineer with a full-time job I am usually juggling contracts on the side and not getting enough sleep. My days of mentally taxing coding all day can make me tired in the middle of the day. Does anyone else have this experience and do you think it's reasonable to request the company you work for to provide a nap time?

EDIT: Grammar

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#2

Post by symfony_ » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 12:50 PM UTC

Let me reiterate:

- You take on contracts on the side and do not get enough sleep because of that.

- You think the company you work for should maybe compensate you with some time to sleep during their working time.

What happened when you asked the people you do some contracting for if you could sleep an hour and bill them your hourly for that?

I would think it reasonable for your full-time gig to respond in the exact same way as your freelance gig would.

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#3

Post by chriscampbell » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 1:01 PM UTC

symfony_ wrote: post #2

Let me reiterate: - You take on contracts on the side and do not get enough sleep because of that. - You think the company you work for should maybe compensate you with some time to sleep during their working time. What happened when you asked the people you do some contracting for if you could sleep an hour and bill them your hourly for that? I would think it reasonable for your full-time gig to respond in the exact…

You hit the nail on the head. I can not imagine reacting any other way if an engineer on my team asked for nap time.

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#4

Post by jamesdelaneyie » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 1:07 PM UTC

I'd be looking at your diet and eating times if you're getting the '3 o'clock slump' and need a snooze during the day.

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#5

Post by sharemywin » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 1:10 PM UTC

I don't think he was referring to "on the clock." Also, doesn't have to be another project could be wife and kids your trying to juggle at night.

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#6

Post by stefs » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 1:11 PM UTC

i sometimes have sleep problems, so i do take some time off to nap in the middle of the day if my work quality is impaired and if there are no pressing issues. i do stop the clock on those though, so my company isn't paying me for the nap time.

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#7

Post by sharemywin » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 1:14 PM UTC

jamesdelaneyie wrote: post #4

I'd be looking at your diet and eating times if you're getting the '3 o'clock slump' and need a snooze during the day.

for me it's 1 o'clock. of course I eat at 11.

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#8

Post by yunti » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 1:18 PM UTC

you could work in spain. Everyone gets a 2 hour nap time - it's ciesta baby!

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#9

Post by hobs » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 1:19 PM UTC

chriscampbell wrote: post #3

symfony_ wrote: post #2

Let me reiterate: - You take on contracts on the side and do not get enough sleep because of that. - You think the company you work for should maybe compensate you with some time to sleep during their working time. What happened when you asked the people you do some contracting for if you could sleep an hour and bill them your hourly for that? I would think it reasonable for your full-time gig to respond in the exact…

You hit the nail on the head. I can not imagine reacting any other way if an engineer on my team asked for nap time.

Not that I particularly endorse the idea, but what if it was shown to unambiguously produce a better product?

At that point, are you not arguing what you perceive to be a moral issue, not one of producing value for your clients?

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/america-its-ti...

Re: Ask HN: Should engineering jobs have a nap time?

#10

Post by martgnz » Thu, Mar 10, 2016, 1:21 PM UTC

yunti wrote: post #8

you could work in spain. Everyone gets a 2 hour nap time - it's ciesta baby!

That's not true. The correct name is 'siesta' as well.