The guy next to me at work keeps falling asleep. Should I do something?

[billyskank]

It's not like he's lazy or slacking off, it's like he just can't stay awake. I can see him nodding, then spring awake and start nodding again a minute later.

If it was just once I'd ignore it, most of us have been like that once or twice, but he's been doing it every day for a couple of weeks now. He obviously isn't getting enough sleep.

I don't think anybody important has noticed yet, which itself is amazing because it's an open-plan office. No cubes.

[tjwmason]

1. Draw a penis on his forehead.

Or maybe have a quiet word and suggest that you think that X (a middle manager) might have spotted him....

[billyskank]

3. KitchenWitch once suggested putting his hand in a bowl of warm water

[Heidi]

2. YES!

Covertly place his hand in a bowl of warm water. :evilgrin:

[billyskank]

4. You think the same way as KitchenWitch

:D

[Heidi]

5. You could also

freeze his panties, if you get the chance. :evilgrin:

I'm your one-stop shop for tried-and-true Slumber Party Pranks, which are remnants of my mispent youth. ;)

[Pithlet]

16. Or shave off one eyebrow.

Surely no one would notice him doing that. :evilgrin:

Seriously, it sounds like a real problem, especially if he's driving to work.

[Heidi]

22. Oooooooooo, you're gonna get sweet billy in trouble, Pithlet.

:rofl: :spray:

[wain]

6. I've seen this at my place of work

A couple of people can't make it through the afternoon and doze off. They're in high-wall cubes so it's hard to see except for the snoring!Their chicken managers know, but are the kind that avoid confrontation. Corporate America at work.

[NewWaveChick1981]

7. You could discreetly ask him if he's ok.

That way, he knows someone noticed but you're not confronting him. You're obviously concerned for him. I mean, he could have narcolepsy (unlikely) or some other affliction that causes it, but it's most likely lack of sleep. :)

:hi:

[billyskank]

8. That's the bit I'm dithering over

God, it's so embarrassing, and I'm embarrassed for him. :blush:

:hi:

[NewWaveChick1981]

10. I know. I would be exactly the same way in that situation.

Do you see him at break times? Maybe you could start up a conversation like, "I'm really tired today!" and see what he says. It might be a good segue to your gentle expression of concern. :D

[mzteris]

19. sleep apnea

can cause this..... proper treatment can alleviate it.

This can be a VERY dangerous problem. People nod off while driving all the time. My brother could NEVER drive for any distance. Short trips to the store, yeah, but nothing on a highway type. He'd pass out cold.

He used to nod off in the middle of conversations.

Now he uses one of those machines - and he never "catnaps" anymore.

[ThomCat]

9. I hope he had so much fun last night

that he's earned the exhaustion today. :)

[billyskank]

11. My god, if that were the answer

he would have been at it like a rabbit for weeks. :blush:

[Deja Q]

12. Could be a health problem involved...

Dunno, but I'd politely ask them about it.

[MissMillie]

15. that's what I was thinking

he may need a nudge to go see a doctor.

[billyskank]

17. It is a bit worrying

the frequency with which he does it. Especially how he can seen fine one minute and then be nodding the next.

[MissMillie]

24. Sleeping disorders can affect so much more than sleep

besides the fact that this guy's job performance is probably in trouble, the implications for his overall health (in indeed this is a sleeping disorder) can be catastrophic.

Maybe he has obstructive sleep apnea, and he's falling asleep because he's really tired. What people don't realize is that the lack of oxygen during the night can have serious implications for heart disease.

It is for sure that if something is disrupting his sleep, his body is not regenerating new cells as it needs them.

People make a big fuss over diet and exercise, but without a good quantity of regular, uninterrupted sleep, people are only dealing with part of the picture.

7 to 9 hours, every night. It's necessary.

[newportdadde]

13. Does he have young children?

My wife and I have a toddler and 4 month old twins. Nodding off at work isn't a problem is the passing out at red lights that have caused me issues.

[billyskank]

14. No, he's a bachelor

I know he was making a ridiculous commute every day (2 hours each way) because he was having trouble selling his old house or something. I don't know if he's still doing that.

[Ravenseye]

18. Yeah talk to him

Don't dither about it or fret or anything. Be direct. Say

"Hey Bob, are you ok? You seem to have been really tired the past couple of weeks nodding off at your desk frequently."

If he gets defensive about it, leave him be. It's his business. Then say "Sorry, didn't mean to intrude, it's just this is an open office and while I don't think anyone important has seen it yet, I didn't want someone coming in here and seeing you asleep at your desk and getting the wrong impression about you."

If he doesn't get defensive, i'm sure you can figure out what to say.

Definately do something. At least if you like the guy.

[Flaxbee]

37. I agree - be direct and just ask they guy

Why not? No need to be embarassed -- you are doing him a favor b/c you could be saving him his job or a humiliating meeting with his boss.

I think Ravenseye's opening gambit of "Hey Bob..." is perfect. If he gets defensive, no big deal, just explain as Ravenseye suggests...


You can always say you're not trying to be intrusive or too personal, but it's hard not to notice him nodding off every other minute.

[Deep13]

20. "Should I do something?" Why?

I guess I am not clear on why this is a problem.

[billyskank]

21. Nodding off at work every day for a couple of weeks?

I'd say that is a problem. For him, I mean, not for me. But still a problem.

[Deep13]

23. I think that is normal, that it is disallowed is dysfunctional.

[billyskank]

25. What, while you're sat there at your keyboard?

And even if it was, nodding off six or seven times a day every day for two weeks is NOT normal.

[Deep13]

31. I don't know what your subject line means.

Anyway, you are the one wasting company time surfing the web. He would not be nodding-off if people were allowed to take a midday nap like they used to do in Europe until very recently.

[billyskank]

33. Hmm no, it's not about wasting company time

I'm concerned about him.

You're very aggressive, aren't you?

[Deep13]

34. Well, I'm not suggesting shaving off an eyebrow...

...or drawing on his forehead.

I'm just saying that being tired is not an illness. It's normal. What is not normal is that society does not accomodate it. Maybe if it did, we would not need to drug ourselves with coffee.

[billyskank]

35. No, it really isn't normal.

Any doctor will tell you that. Not during the day, excluding the middle if you like for a siesta. No-one else around here has trouble staying awake. Normal is being tired when it is time for bed and being wide awake in the morning and evening.

[auntAgonist]

38. Being tired isn't necessarily an illness, .. what causes

us to be tired can be an illness. The gent may have narcolepsy <sp> Or sleep apnea as mentioned previously. He could be in a very precarious situation if he should nod off while driving or performing some other task that he could hurt himself.

I'd try talking to him in a non accusatory way, with care and concern.

aA

[ComerPerro]

28. Could be a problem for him if a superior catches him or finds out

so maybe the OP is trying to find a way to intervene before it becomes a problem for this guy.

[maxsolomon]

26. he should avoid carbs at lunch

a cup of joe would be nice, too.

if your office has a break room a 20 minute power nap (AKA 'siesta' in the rational, spanish speaking world) would do wonders. but most offices don't. protestant work ethic & all.

this time of year, though, tough to sleep too long at night. too many daylight hours - sun comes up at 5 around here. i wake with the sun, so i'm getting 6, not my usual 7, and its taking a toll.

[joneschick]

27. get him a cup of coffee

and maybe some info on sleep apnea? My husband finally got treated and it's been nothing short of revolutionary for us. The sleep machine (cpap)is kind of like sleeping with Darth Vader, but other than that......

[leftofthedial]

29. are you an airline co-pilot?

if not, then no biggie.

[billyskank]

30. No no, it's not that life is at stake or anything

Just think it's a bit worrying. He's been like it for a long time, but not every day like recently. Just think something must be wrong.

[leftofthedial]

32. ask him about it.

could be narcolepsy.

could be a demanding girlfriend.

[NV Whino]

36. This could be a serious matter

There is a disease called narcolepsy. Someone I once worked with suffered from it. They can doze off driving as easily as stiiting in an office.

Also a blocked carotid artery can cause this action. Treat this seriously and suggest he see a doctor.

[KurtNYC]

39. or it could be sleep apnea which can be lethal - yes to doctor nt

[Sequoia]

40. Is it VP Cheney?

Wake up Dick, your leader is speaking.