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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Colleague falling asleep...

66 replies

purplebaubles111 · 13/11/2017 12:09

....all the fucking time.

-NC as think a colleague is on here-

IKIABU and can't do anything about it but I have a colleague who literally sits and nods off at their desk, pretty much most of the day. Their work is mainly email based so they sit at the desk, nod off. No-one notices.

Sometimes it's really fucking obvious as I sit next to them because they wake with a start/snort etc.

It's really grating on me because I'm rushed off my feet with shit and they sit there snoring. Then waddle off for a fag. Then have dinner.

I've tried making noise to make them jump etc and I've even said "Seriously, you need to stop this" They get paid more than me and seem to do fuck all but nod off all day

ARRRRRRRRRRRGH

OP posts:
RagingFemininist · 14/11/2017 12:11

I know someone who was sacked because a busybody reported him for nodding off in training. Turned out he had undiagnosed and obviously uncontrolled type 1 diabetes.

Well how was the ‘busybody’ supposed to know it was due to an illness that the person themselves didn’t know about? So much somthat they couldn’t actually explained it to management so it que be taken into account??
I think it’s fair that that was reported tbh, just as it would be fair for the OP to report it.
I like PP idea of framing it as a worry about his health. That way it’s up to management to deal with it (is it health, is it laziness?)

Babieseverywhere · 14/11/2017 12:12

A healthy person shouldn't be falling asleep at work on a regular basis.

It could be sleep Apnoea, diabetes, eexcessive alcohol consumption the night before or a million other reasons.

I would ask your boss to look into it. It is your boss's responsibility with HR and maybe OH to help him get to the bottom of this issue.

Yes, you should report it to your boss, especially if he drives to work. Being that tired and driving is worse than drink driving (according to the DVLA)

Original poster
purplebaubles111 · 14/11/2017 12:13

I have ME so I am fully aware of what feeling so exhausted feels like.

he is aware he is doing it because I've politely and now not so politely mentioned it.

It's gone from "Do you realise you keep nodding off" Reply "Oh yes, I'm really tired" several times to "You need to sort your tiredness out as it's causing you to nod off a lot" Reply "Oh I'm just resting my eyes" to this... It's been going on for months and I've had enough of it.

I am working away. Yes wqe all have moments we want to doze off, or take a break. It's known that we might chat/browse online etc when we are able to and a break in work allows. But this is constant. He's been sat at his desk since 9am this morning. Not moved on to my current approach.

Anyway my boss has just come out and said "Are you ok mate?" He replied with "Oh yeah I'm ok, just feelign rough. Just trying to come to. I'll be fine" I said "you're not because you keep nodding off at your desk. Go home and rest" Boss said "You can't be nodding off at your desk mate, get yourself off home"

OP posts:
RagingFemininist · 14/11/2017 12:14

Fwiw, if you are that unwell that you’re u are constantly falling asleep at your desk, every single day, I would have expected anyone to go and see their GP to be checked over. Some investigation stake time (see ME for example) but at least there is a ‘reason’.
Otherwise, it’s just getting away with doing very little.

The issue though is that I imagine that guy is doing his job well enough sonthat it’s not noticed. In effect that wouId mean he has very little to do so even if he wasn’t sleeping, he would still be doing little compare to you.

FuckingBUTTERbeans · 14/11/2017 12:15

There was a lady at my work who did this in meetings and training. Not sure about at her desk as we were on different floors. No one ever mentioned it, apart from one bloke in a training session who noticed and walked up to her and woke her up. She tried to brazen it out and pretend she hadn't been asleep. She was either on probation or contracting (can't remember which) and they didn't keep her on.

I think Milk has the right idea. Mention it to your boss as a point of concern.

washingmachinefastwash · 14/11/2017 12:16

Could your colleague have narcolepsy?

MollyHuaCha · 14/11/2017 12:17

When I was really unwell, under specialist for investigations, but forcing myself to go to work, I had a period of around three months when I regularly fell asleep in long meetings. If anyone had reported me I would have been so upset. Please consider that this person might be ill.

FuckingBUTTERbeans · 14/11/2017 12:18

Oops, big x-post. At least that seems like a start OP. Hopefully your boss will be on the lookout now he's aware of it.

Original poster
purplebaubles111 · 14/11/2017 12:23

RagingFemininist He's a teleappointer so sends out bulk emails to potential customers and if they call and are interested, he makes an appointment. I'm adminstrator of the company so my day is always full with breaks in between when time allows.

MollyHuaCha I'm not saying they're being lazy or otherwise. Before my ME diagnosis I'd give anything to close my eyes and catch 40 winks. I would do this at lunch in my car. Trying to keep on going was fucking excruciating.

OP posts:
Rudgie47 · 14/11/2017 12:24

I'd go to the boss and say that your concerned for his health and that he is disturbing you from doing your work due to snoring and snorting.
I also worked with someone who was having all sorts of wierd health symptoms and it turns out he had a brain tumour with months to live it was that aggressive.
If your boss doesnt sort it out I'd take it above them. Its not fair on you or the rest of the team. If hes ill it needs sorting out. If hes not and keeps doing it then he needs finishing.Your work can send him for a full health assessment and take it from there.

Original poster
purplebaubles111 · 14/11/2017 12:25

The person who's doing it is fully aware they do it.

Now that my boss is aware, I will have a chat with them and mention it's happening regularly and perhaps it needs to be looked into

OP posts:
astoundedgoat · 14/11/2017 12:30

I have every sympathy with people who experience mysterious symptoms and are then diagnosed with life-changing illnesses, but this is no reason to hold back from reporting these "symptoms" to management when a colleague is sleeping soundly at their desk every single day and being paid for it.

Most charitable scenario: sleeping sales guy gets the diagnosis he so clearly needs, receives life-saving medical treatment and leads a long and salesy life at OP's company.

Most likely scenario: sleeping sales guy gets sacked for being a lazy fucker who doesn't give a damn about his job or targets.

Original poster
purplebaubles111 · 14/11/2017 12:38

I had a quick word with my boss. Mentioned it's happening daily and he said he knows and it needs to be addressed - he might be ill etc so he will take it up with him.

OP posts:
blueskyinmarch · 14/11/2017 12:40

I think you are right to point it out OP. If he is actually ill then this may prompt him to go get medical advice and support. If he is a lazy fucker then he will be sacked. Could he be drinking heavily and very hungover at work?

strangeEvents · 14/11/2017 12:41

@AnUtterIdiot

Thanks for the 'help' but there's no single person senior to me. I absolutely occasionally nap in my office. I was at work for 17 hours yesterday and a 1 hour snooze after lunch kept me going for the evening event.

Funnily enough, the closer you get to 'the top' at work, the more you're judge on outcomes as opposed to methods.

Thanks again.

Original poster
purplebaubles111 · 14/11/2017 12:43

I've no idea blue I know he has some health issues and was off over Xmas last year due to it and has had some recurring issues with it but afaik it wouldn't affect him in a sleepy way.

I didnt realise but another colleague noticed colelague's palour and whatnot today and actually called my boss to tell him, which is what prompted my boss to come out. At least it isn't going unnoticed. If he's poorly, he needs to get it resolved. It's no good feeling like that

OP posts:
Ironmanrocks · 14/11/2017 12:46

It sounds like he could be really poorly - he says he's feeling rough - and its not a one-off. Could you not have a discreet chat with him first and mention how often it occurs and that he should see a doctor?? I would be seriously concerned - that is NOT normal. He might be a dick, but this is surely above that...

Ironmanrocks · 14/11/2017 12:47

sorry cross post!

NeedsAsockamnesty · 14/11/2017 12:48

I crash out at work all the time.

Meh it’s my business I get all the work I need doing done it’s not anybody else’s concern.

drumsPlease · 14/11/2017 12:51

@purplebaubles111

Why are you now pretending to be concerned as opposed to petty?

blueskyinmarch · 14/11/2017 12:54

I think purplebaubles is allowed to feel both pissed off and concerned for her colleague given she doesn't know if he is genuinely ill or just a shirker!

blueskyinmarch · 14/11/2017 12:54

I think purplebaubles is allowed to feel both pissed off and concerned for her colleague given she doesn't know if he is genuinely ill or just a shirker!

drumsPlease · 14/11/2017 12:55

It just seems a little disingenuous to me.

drumsPlease · 14/11/2017 12:55

It just seems a little disingenuous to me.

Original poster
purplebaubles111 · 14/11/2017 12:56

drumsPlease my first reaction was annoyance. But on seeing people's responses, it made me realise it could be something else other than being lazy. I'm allowed to change my opinion on something.

As yes, I am still pissed off even if they are ill. They've done nothing today except sit and nod off. Then sent home ill.

I have half a day off because my son has the shits and get stick... but that's a whole other thread!

OP posts: