The art of covert napping

The Washington Post notes that there’s been no shortage of media reports over the last few years about sensitive employers giving workers permission to nap. Some even provide “relaxation rooms.”

But with companies demanding more from smaller staffs in recent months, employees aren’t so interested in that perk anymore, fearful that they’ll do most of their dozing in the unemployment line.

So on-the-job napping, while not going away, is being done on the downlow, according to the Post.

William Anthony, author of “The Art of Napping at Work” and operator of Napping.com, tells the newspaper that one of the most popular tactics is to escape to the parking garage to catnap in the car.

“Another odd place people say they nap is in the restroom, sitting on the toilet, resting their head against the side or back wall,” Anthony says. “It’s private; they can lock the door. The more industrious nappers construct pillows with extra toilet paper rolls for maximum comfort.”

Even cubicle dwellers can catch a few Zs if they’re resourceful, says Anthony.

“The cubicle is a most nap-unfriendly environment, but some manage by spreading papers out on their desks, clutching a pencil in their fingers and pretending they are absorbed in reading. Others assume the ‘thinking position,’ with their head in their hands and their back to the door.

“But the best one I’ve heard lately came from a guy who holds a bottle of eyedrops in one hand, tilts back in his chair and closes his eyes. That’s truly artful napping.”