YES, bosses should let their employees power nap. So why don't they?

Americans in particular have a dated work ethic, and productivity pays the price.

There's something to be said for the afternoon siesta, after all. Or at least a power nap, according to one sleep expert from the University of Adelaide. Research shows that a ten-to-fifteen-minute nap in the afternoon improves performance.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - As toddlers, we despised the afternoon nap. It was the time after lunch when our mums watched their soap operas and took a break from our incessant needs. For some of us, it was a battle royale, and for others, it was merely our first chore as babes. But it was also an essential part of our routine. Without a nap, both toddler and mum would be quite irritable come evening. As it turns out, afternoon naps are right for everybody, and not just moms and babies.

According to Dr. Fiona Kerr of the University of Adelaide, a short nap in the afternoon has been shown to improve alertness, memory, and cognition.

Some workplaces know this and provide extended breaks or even nap rooms for their employees. However, most work places, especially in the United States, do nothing for their workers.

The American work ethic was established by the Puritans of the Elizabethan era, and it has hardly changed. Sleep is synonymous with laziness and productivity is king. Except, studies prove that productivity increases with a short afternoon nap. Unfortunately, Americans tend to be uninformed when it comes to science and as a result they punish themselves into powering straight through their workday, often aided by caffeine and energy drinks.

Studies have shown that a nap between ten and fifteen minutes is ideal, and leaves the sleeper feeling refreshed. Take a longer nap, and the body will prepare for a much longer sleep, making it harder to wake up; you'll feel groggy. Sleep for more than 90 minutes, and your body will prepare to sleep through the night.

However, a power nap, can make a huge difference in your ability to function. And it's in the employer's interest to have workers who are alert and focused on their jobs. But the way to ensure this is to allow the employee to take a short break in the afternoon, instead of working straight through.

Many employers allow employees to take short breaks throughout the day, but the employees also have a responsibility to use the time wisely. A comfortable spot, enhanced with a small pillow or neck rest may be all it takes to catch a few winks of sleep, and return to work refreshed.

Hopefully, more employers will recognize the importance of a short afternoon power nap and allow their employees a little extra time for the privilege. Their firm's productivity and bottom line should reflect the improvement.

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