Now most of the workers and public servants work from 9 am to 5 pm. Some of them even work from 8 am or 8:30 am to 5 pm. However, according to the global Internet survey done by the UK Sleep Council, the Mediterranean¹ siesta² was the right idea all along. The UK Sleep Council called on the country's bosses to end nine-to-five working in favor of more flexible hours. They believe what would really pump up the pulse of worker productivity is a nice afternoon nap, rather than those bonuses and incentives³.

 

Forty-one percent of the 12,000 people who responded to the council's survey said they were most productive in the morning, while 38 percent said they hit their stride（大步，进展） in the evening. "The implication is that the majority are not fully⁴ alert in the middle of the day? The traditional time for a siesta（午睡） in hot countries." said sleep expert Dr. Chris Idzikowskii. "We must conclude from this survey that the traditional nine-to-five working day does not suit the majority." He suggested that allowing workers to follow their natural sleeping habits would actually benefit employers by allowing them to expand their working hours and be more productive.

 

Fortunately, being a college lecturer, I don't have to go to work everyday. I only work three days a week, but during the three days I work really long hours and have no time for a wee little siesta. I'm usually so tired and sleepy in the afternoon, which really affects the vitality⁵ of my classes. I used to feel very guilty and sorry for the students of the afternoon classes, but then I excused myself by thinking I'm not a man wearing his shorts outside the long pants (superman does).

 

I strongly support Dr Chris Idzikowskii's idea for two reasons. One is when people have flexible working hours they could reach their highest productivity. On top of that, flexible working hours means that people don't have to work all at the same time, in that way we could avoid traffic congestions and jams. Therefore it's really killing⁶ two birds (maybe 7 or 8 birds) with one stone! What do you reckon, guys?

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