German unions call for 'short, lunchtime power nap' as part of working day

In a bid to be more skilful in work, German unions have called for a return to official siestas as part of the working day.

The DGB confederation of trade unions has argued that a short, lunchtime power nap makes sense for health and performance reasons.

"Even though the siesta is something that isn't a given anymore in the southern European countries, it is still a good idea for health reasons," the Guardian quoted Annelie Buntenbach, a DGB executive board member, as telling Tageszeitung in an interview.

"A short afternoon nap reduces the risk of, for example, a heart attack, and provides an energy boost," she added.

Even studies have supported this. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School in Greece have found that Greek workers who took regular siestas had 37 pc lower mortality rates from coronary illnesses than their napless counterparts.

The idea has caught on in Germany, where big German companies such as BASF, Opel, Hornsbach and Lufthansa provide special rooms for their workers, and employers say they benefit from the increased productivity of well-rested employees. (ANI)