Sleeping While On Duty - Misconduct

Dear Sr.Friends,
As per standing order "Sleeping while on duty is a misconduct" . But what extent of sleeping will be considered. I mean to say a person in totally sleeping just like on bed time is major misconduct while on duty. But some people are at the earlier hours i.e. the shift which going to be end just lay down is a MISCONDUCT ?
Will you please expand the status of sleeping while on duty.?
Regards,
PBS KUMAR

It all depends on Nature of duties entrusted on " Sleeping Person " for e.g. Security Personnel's sleeping will be more serious than Driver of MD/CEO/GM/VP who sleeps when there is no work for him. I hope you gor an idea.

While on duty sleeping is obviously a misconduct, but we must consider the duty involved for the person sleeps.
If a duty doctor or the driver sleeps while on duty is considered as resting and not as sleeping.
But if a Security Guard sleeps while on duty is a serious misconduct. Some offices run for 24 hours and 365 days. By considering the workload the organisation may deploy more staff on duty. In that case the Shift in charge can decide whom to be alert and who can be given rest while on duty.
The seriousness can be considered depending on the nature of duty and the defaulters can be dealt with accordingly.

As others have opined it all depends upon an organization and its rules. Please see Dismissal: unfair dismissal - sleeping on duty not gross dishonesty Sleeping or praying on duty - HR Future: South Africa's Leading Print, Digital and Online Human Strategy Magazine <link updated to site home> ( Search On Cite | Search On Google ) and Sleeping While on Duty Law & Legal Definition found at https://www.google.co.uk/#q=sleeping+on+duty+case+law

Dear PBS KUMAR

I appreciate your query; the crux of which is :

"...But what extent of sleeping will be considered."

The "extent" has to be judged in the proper context.

For example, consider these situations :

1. A very senior officer like a VP or a Director, who often has to travel at short notices and is on tour during most of the after-office hours and on holidays; takes a few minutes nap in his cabin after lunch.

2. Workers in the continuous process industry, who have to go to the designated Rest Rooms, after every two hours, due to the extreme working conditions; snoozes during his rest-break.

3. Canteen workers taking "rest" in the canteen after the lunch-time is over.

4. An operator in the air-conditioned Control Room having displays and control units for all vital manufacturing process, sleeping on his desk.

5. A crane operator falling asleep on his seat while production activities are taking place all around him.

6. A security personnel sleeping during his night shift.

etc.

I agree with Bhaskar's opinion of the differentiation between "sleeping on duty" and "taking rest".

Apart from the context; one has to examine the consequences of the apparent dereliction of duties by the concerned employees.

In the last three examples, serious punitive action needs to be taken, as the consequences of this lapse or misconduct can be disastrous, to both material and life.

Thus the "extent" will depend on all these factors and not just on the gravity, depth and involvement in the act of "sleeping".

Warm regards.

Dear Mr. PBS Kumar
Why we want to punish/take disciplinary action?
1) To prevent the employee from indulging in the particular at of misconduct
2) To set deterrence so to prevent others from indulging in the particular act of misconduct'
3) To establish Discipline
4) To create environment conducive to effectiveness..be it productivity, safety, teamwork, cost saving etc.
In your case the act of "sleeping whilst on duty" is hampering any of the organizational objective or has potential to hamper if not stopped, you need to take call and initiate disciplinary action.
Slept, half slept, lied down, or stretched legs on table are secondary aspects. Since it will not amount to "sleeping" than at least will amount to negligence etc.
Regards
Shailesh Parikh
Vadodara, Gujarat
99 98 97 10 65

PBS KUMAR
Question posed is not specific.
No doubt "Sleeping while on duty is a misconduct" as per standing order. But who has slept ?,what is the nature of duty ?, has he slept during duty hours? is not cited. From the question " it appears a person is allowed to sleep and he has over slept". Some elaboration is required to analyse the problem.
In the mean while BOSS2966 has clarified few cases and his opinion is appreciated and can be considered.
SPKR

In my opinion sleeping on duty is a misconduct. It is immaterial if a person is sleeping for hours or for few minutes. We should keep in mind that Sleeping is duty is a misconduct and it should be dealt with as per provisions of Standing Orders of your organization.
Thanks.