Introduction
It is well known that employees’ performance significantly impacts organizational success. However, the aspects of what makes people work more effectively continue to be a topic of discussion among businesspersons and scholars. Many earlier concerns included physical exercise and nutrition, and companies implemented measures to help their workers to improve their lifestyles by upgrading their gyms or memberships and building cafeterias and kitchens.
The most recent belief, however, is that sleep also contributes to one’s energy levels, thus affecting productivity and concentration (Meyers 7). In the early 2000s, a number of firms proposed an idea of taking short naps at work to recharge (Lindholst). At the present moment, several tech, business, law, and educational organizations have separate rooms where employees can rest and even sleep.
Many of these facilities are equipped with nap pods – chairs or constructions with mattresses that provide privacy and comfort. This report will review the most popular pods, their benefits for workers and employers, examples of companies that use them, as well as the cost of the pods’ installation and maintenance.
Product Description
Power nap pods are special constructions designed for short naps. They may come in a variety of styles, depending on the manufacturer and clients’ individual wishes. For example, some pods are built as completely enclosed structures with a door that guarantees full privacy for an individual. Inside, the simplest pod includes a mattress and a pillow. Some fully enclosed pods can be stacked, reducing the occupied space and allowing for more pods to be positioned in one room. Other styles do not have this feature, but they still can be positioned close to each other due to their complete privacy.
Several models have a design that provides a limited degree of privacy with the help of a removable visor. More advanced designs are also equipped with special devices that encourage relaxation and help one to fall asleep. The EnergyPod, designed by MetroNaps, has an interface with such functions as time waking, guided napping, music, and noise cancellation (MetroNaps). Thus, a person can lie on the innovative chair and start a program that includes soothing music and light change for falling asleep and a gentle waking sound at the end of the chosen plan. Regardless of the pods’ technical characteristics, all models have a similar purpose – to create an environment in which a person can relax and fall asleep for a short period. However, it is clear that most pods are not designed for a long sleep, although there were instances when companies allowed employees to stay in pods overnight.
Effect on Performance
To understand why nap pods are being installed in major companies, one can examine the science behind power naps. According to Meyers, sleep deprivation is a factor that contributes to reduced cognitive performance considerably (8). People who do not get enough sleep can experience fatigue, inability to concentrate, and headaches. Moreover, a consistent lack of sleep puts individuals at risk of depression, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and other severe conditions (Meyers 8). At the present time, many people cannot get enough sleep due to their busy schedule. Workers whose commute to work takes an hour or more experience stress in mornings and evenings, which worsens the quality of their sleep further. Apart from weakening people’s immune system and endangering their health, the lack of proper rest has a detrimental effect on one’s productivity (Zimmerman). People who feel tired cannot pay attention to their tasks, which further contributes to their stress levels and worsens the quality of their performance.
Studies discussing the effect of napping have considered various outcomes of sleeping during the day or in a workplace setting. According to Zimmerman, the current working schedule of many people is exhausting, and they require some time during the day to recharge. Coffee and energy drinks are often brought up as a solution in such cases, but, although practical, this approach also leads to many adverse health-related outcomes due to the long-lasting impact of caffeine (Zimmerman). Sleeping, on the other hand, was found to increase productivity, improve memory, learning, and motor skills (Meyers 8). While some studies indicate that both caffeine and naps provide similar results with caffeine being the most effective solution, they note that sleeping may have less negative long-term consequences for people’s health (Zimmerman). Short power naps usually take 15 to 20 minutes, but they can significantly improve one’s concentration and reduce burnout symptoms.
Thus, the introduction of napping to an organization’s schedule possesses many benefits for both its employees and employers. For workers, the ability to take a break can result in better performance, concentration, and commitment. They also receive some protection from severe health conditions and may avoid elevated stress levels. By installing nap pods, employers provide a flexible solution to its workers, showing that their business is invested in the health of its professionals. It is also possible that employees who can sleep during the day will not take sick days or have other reasons for being absent from the office.
Alternative Solutions
Some organizations may decide to implement solutions that share features with nap pods. HootSuite, a Vancouver-based social media management company, has a napping room with simple camp beds, pillows, and blankets (Simmons). This approach is inexpensive and straightforward, but it may be ineffective for many employees. Beds do not have a sturdy frame, and the lack of privacy can limit the comfort of workers who decide to nap during their break (Potenza). On the other hand, compartmentalized nap pods assure privacy and offer noise cancellation – another feature that contributes to healthy sleep.
A number of firms design unique solutions that are fit into the existing spaces in their buildings. An office at Google Pittsburgh features an open napping space built out of nets (Simmons). While this solution is innovative, it possesses the same negative features as the previously discussed room with beds. Moreover, it may be unusable for people with any disabilities or pains. For these employees, rest in a closed pod may prove to be a much more suitable experience. Another drawback of individually designed structures is their cost. When a company purchases nap pods, it receives a thought-out and tested product that incorporates all the necessary functions. In contrast, if a firm chooses to develop something unique, the costs may exceed one’s abilities without guaranteeing a satisfying result and a product that will be used by employees.
In comparison with alternative designs, the functionality of sleeping pods becomes apparent. The designs of these pods are simple and ergonomic, with some options saving space further by having a stackable design. The privacy of these models is a notable feature since noise and external disturbances are among the main contributors to low-quality sleep (Potenza). Although not all employees will be able to sleep in pods, the rate of people being comfortable with open beds or other constructions may be even smaller than that.
Implementation Examples
Since the introduction of nap pods, many prominent businesses and organizations have installed these constructions in their offices. For example, EnergyPods (semi-private chairs) can be seen in some facilities of Google, one of the best companies to work in, according to the Fortune’s Best 100 list (National Sleep Foundation). In New York, Huffington Posts’ offices feature multiple EnergyPods for their employees (National Sleep Foundation). Apart from tech- and media-focused businesses, several law and financial firms also have a separate room for napping. An international law firm White & Case has two nap pods in its main building located in Washington, DC (National Sleep Foundation).
In Texas, the branch of financial offices for Mercedes-Benz has recently installed a number of EnergyPods, quickly improving its score on Great Workplace lists and attracting younger talent (National Sleep Foundation). Interestingly, it is known that NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) also has a department where nap pods are used by developers, researchers, and designers (National Sleep Foundation). The use of EnergyPods is not limited to one type of organizations.
Furthermore, it is known that multiple other companies feature fully private spaces such as Podtime’s pods. Most notably, Facebook’s office in Seattle uses Podtime nap capsules, adding a personalized logo on the side of the pods’ doors (Simmons). Another example is Interxion, a London-based provider of collocation data center services (Simmons). Other firms that use capsules include Nestle, Telehouse, and Sydney Swans football club (Simmons). One can see that organizations choose different approaches to furnishing their nap rooms, but most major companies choose between semi-private and private pre-designed options.
Companies that Provide the Service
As mentioned above, two businesses stand out among the others as influential representatives of the nap pod industry. The first one is MetroNaps, a New York-based company that was established by Christopher Lindholst in 2003 (MetroNaps). MetroNaps’ main product is the EnergyPod, a chair developed to accommodate people’s needs for a short nap. The company’s CEO and creator notes that these pods may not be suitable for longer sleep times, although he assures that they are comfortable (Lindholst). The EnergyPod is marketed as the first chair that was designed specifically for napping. It has an ergonomic form that elevates the user’s feet and supports the muscles of the lower back. The chair also has a rotating visor that can be opened or closed for seclusion. The technical aspects of this pod make it a unique option for more advanced companies since EnergyPods feature an interface for timed waking, music, vibration and lights.
The second option is represented by the UK-based Podtime capsules. These models differ from the open chairs significantly since they are constructed as beds with a mattress in size between twin and full (“Standard Pod”). The pods resemble cylindrical tubes with two door apertures on either side. A sliding door ensures full privacy and increased noise cancellation, while ventilation inlets guarantee natural air movement. The company offers two options for its clients – a standard and a premium pod. Notably, all previously mentioned testimonials for Podtime capsules featured the standard version, probably due to its stackable design and small differences between models. It should be noted that both businesses, MetroNaps and Podtime, offer personalized options to their clients and are available for international shipping.
Costs and Maintenance
The price range for a nap pod is significant since each model possesses a different set of characteristics. If one compares the products of Podtime and MetroNaps, the former’s capsules are much more affordable. According to the official pricing data, the minimal price for a Podtime’s standard nap pod is £3,395, excluding tax, shipping, and additional features (“Standard Pod”). The model comes in one color scheme – a white capsule and a gray mattress. Clients can pay an additional £195 for a company logo to be added to the sides of the pods’ doors. While it is clear that the final price will be higher due to shipping, especially if the purchased pods travel outside of the UK, the standard model’s cost is rather low.
Podtime also offers a premium option for organizations that do not want to stack the pods on top of each other. This model’s prices start at £4,895, excluding tax, shipping, and custom logos (“Premium Pod”). The premium pod has multiple color variations for the capsule itself (white and dark gray) as well as the mattress (15 different shades of gray, orange, red, green, and blue). The more expensive model is also larger than the standard one, although the difference in size is not significant. All pods by Podtime require self-assembly, and the company only delivers the parts and provides instructions. It is unclear whether the firm offers any maintenance or parts’ exchange for its customers.
The official site of MetroNaps does not disclose the prices for its product or its components. Zimmerman mentions that, in 2018, one EnergyPod was sold at a retail price of $12,985. It is possible that this was the minimal amount that a client would need to pay for one chair, not accounting for tax and shipping. Nonetheless, the author also mentions that EnergyPods can be rented, although the costs of that service are not discussed. MetroNaps’ website also does not feature any information about the maintenance aspects of purchasing nap pods. Further investigation is necessary to determine how expensive the final product will be. It is clear that EnergyPods are much more advanced in their technical characteristics than Podtime’s capsules. However, the difference in pricing is also apparent, with Podtime pods being a much more affordable option.
Conclusion
The science regarding employees’ productivity and health suggests that naps can play a significant role in improving people’s lives. Short sleep breaks during one’s work hours can help individuals avoid health risks such as diabetes, heart problems, depression, and fatigue. Naps can also improve concentration and contribute to better performance. As a result, they are beneficial for both workers and employers, making the creation of a nap area in the office a solid investment. Currently, several prominent companies install special nap pods for their employees. These pods provide people with a degree of privacy and guarantee a comfortable sleeping environment. Pods from MetroNaps and Podtime are the most recognized models in the industry. Their designs and prices are vastly different from one another, and the final choice depends on the business needs and capabilities. All in all, any type of nap pod will provide a company with an advantage in employees’ productivity, health, and job satisfaction.
Works Cited
Lindholst, Christopher. “Feeling Burned Out at Work? There’s a Nap for That!”Thrive Global, 2019, Web.
MetroNaps. MetroNaps, 2019, Web.
Meyers, Marty. “The Next Frontier: Corporate America Improving Employee Productivity by Implementing Programs to Reduce Sleep Deprivation.” American Journal of Health Sciences, vol. 6, no. 1, 2015, pp. 7-10.
National Sleep Foundation. “5 Companies that Encourage Power Napping.”Sleep.org, Web.
Potenza, Alessandra. “Futuristic Nap Pods Get Upgraded with Sleepy Sounds, but Do They Work?”The Verge. 2016, Web.
“Premium Pod.”Podtime, Web.
Simmons, Kate. “Nap Pods in the Office: A Workplace Trend.”Decoist, Web.
“Standard Pod.”Podtime, Web.
Zimmerman, Kaytie. “It’s Time to Start Taking Naps at Work.”Forbes. 2018, Web.