The ADP research centre in 2021 found that the pandemic had greatly increased the work load on European employees. This phenomenon had nearly doubled the amount of unpaid overtime per week, rising from 4.5 hours in 2020 to 6.7 hours.
The result being daily stress at work that impacts workers' effectiveness, concentration, motivation, absenteeism, and health (depression or cardiovascular illness). Introducing rest or relaxation periods in your company can contribute to easing the stresses on your employees.
The Siesteria experiment at LAFUMA MOBILIER
The Siesteria was developed from a conventional cafeteria. It's a concept for recharging one's batteries, that we are trying out at LAFUMA MOBILIER.
In a Siesteria, we take a rest in pleasant surroundings that help to restore us. The furniture is designed and arranged to relax our employees. They can lie down and take a siesta in the calm of a softened atmosphere.
Three benefits of company rest periods
Improved productivity
Taking a real break where rest is the keyword provides complete relaxation. With a siesta of between 15 to 30 minutes, people's short-term memory is improved. Getting away from work regenerates the mind and improves the capacity to take decisions.
Astronauts are one of the best cases illustrating this point! A study carried out on NASA pilots showed that a siesta of some twenty minutes improves performance by 34% and overall alertness by 54%.
Did you know that 85% of mammals take a siesta during the day?
However, resting is not well viewed in our society, where the work ethic usually prevails. So, we have got in the habit of fighting fatigue by using stimulants like coffee or energy drinks. What is the result? Blood pressure rises, concentration weakens, etc.
Éric Mullens, the sleep specialist, explains that siestas are a natural reflex. It's a mistake to consider it as cultural.
The body and mind eased
The second advantage of initiating rest periods in your company is their benefit for mental and physical equilibrium.
Relieving one's brain and body in an environment designed for resting…
reduces accumulated mental stress;
lowers blood pressure and thus the risk of heart disease;
improves muscle recovery (fewer aches and pains);
encourages digestion, avoiding sleepiness in the two hours after lunch;
reduces losses of attention which can be the cause of industrial accidents.
Prevention is the solution
Faced with the cost of illness and accidents, allocate a prevention budget to provide better health for your employees. In this way you can reduce the expenditure required for treating these issues by half!
Even better, you get a return on your investment: according to AISS, one euro invested in prevention, per year and per employee, is equivalent to a €2.20 profit for the company.
Well-being and motivated employees
Employees who feel well are more involved employees: an official rest period preserves their energy, and they remain better concentrated.
Also, by showing that you are concerned for employee well-being, the company's image is enhanced. Internally, your employees feel more in confidence given an improved work environment – less frustration and irritability leading to more fluidity in exchanges.
The best furniture for effective rest
In terms of layout, a dedicated space, like we have in the LAFUMA MOBILIER Siesteria, may not be easy to set up according to the arrangement of your premises. However, having armchairs available for resting on for a few minutes is a perfectly feasible solution!
Our Relax chairs are ideal for ensuring effective rest, thanks to their Zero Gravity position at 127°. This reduces muscular tension, eases the joints and relaxes the whole body.
You get a sensation of absolute relaxation with legs slightly above heart level: guaranteed comfort and lightness. Every benefit with better blood circulation and easier breathing.
More advice
Choose furniture with good ergonomics and comfort. Take care with colours – avoid gaudiness, go for softer soothing hues. Provide chairs suitable for everyone. The aim is to have an effective moment of regeneration. Employees should be able to switch off rapidly, with chairs in prone position that are easy to clean between uses. This is an important point because many people are going to be using them.
Sources : NASA Naps | Science Mission Directorate ❘ La sieste, cette pause aux mille vertus ❘ Dormir au travail : les bienfaits de la sieste en entreprise ❘ Comment se motiver dans les moments où vous rêvez d’une sieste ? | HelloWork ❘ Ha ! La sieste… et si on dormait au travail ? ❘ https://www.radiofrance.fr/francebleu/podcasts/c-ma-sante/les-bienfaits-du-cafe-sieste-5413698