MRO Today - Oh, give it a rest!

Oh, give
it a rest!

by

Excuse me but, are we turning into a nation of wusses?

That struck me after reading a Connecticut newspaper's story about Yarde Metals Inc., a company that processes aluminum, stainless steel, brass and copper at four plants on the East Coast. The story outlines construction of the company's fifth plant in Bristol, Conn., which will include, among other things, a coffee-roasting room, a dog kennel for those who wish to bring their pets to work, multiple-stall unisex bathrooms and a nap room.

The plant will serve as a testing ground for the company, which then hopes to incorporate such unconventional ideas in its other plants.

With unemployment at its lowest level in 30 years, it's widely accepted that corporate, plant and departmental managers must address the personal and professional needs of employees. Innovative ideas are needed to attract and retain quality workers. If you're a skilled or unskilled member of the workforce, ideas and opportunities can be the deciding factor whether you stay at your current job or take a position elsewhere.

But with all that said, is this where the manufacturing industry is headed? Why not build a hot tub in the break room, a wet bar in the employee locker room and a go-kart track in the back lot?

From Yarde Metals' list of new-age, touchy-feeling concepts, the nap room idea sticks out (I won't touch the bathroom thing). While it is based on a sound principle -- rested workers are more productive and safer -- so is the principle that a body at rest stays at rest, and a body in motion stays in motion.

The Yarde plant's nap room will house eight nap stations, each separated by a partition. A 20-foot-long fountain will create soothing sounds to sleep to. There will be no regulations to napping, meaning employees will be encouraged to use the room as needed, either during a break or lunch time, or when they're supposed to be on the plant floor working.

"We're not going to have any restrictions as to who can use it, when they use it," says president Craig Yarde. Workers will rest "when they feel it's necessary."

Should manufacturing facilities be turned into day-care centers? (It would put a whole new spin on having to go to the crib!) And should a nap be taken on the company's dime?

If you're a production line manager at an auto plant, picture your response to a line worker telling you, "I'm a bit sleepy. I'm going to lay down for a bit."

If you're a maintenance mechanic, picture your response to your boss telling you, "Do this work order. While you're at it, do Bob's, too, because he's resting."

Maybe Bob's tired because he stayed up late watching the big game on TV. Or, he's having sleeping problems because his eating and drinking habits are unhealthy. Or, his wife snores like a freight train. Whose problems are those?

Shifting responsibility is something we as Americans love to do. That's what keeps lawyers in Audis and psychologists on the talk-show circuit.

It also gives us events like National Sleep Awareness Week, sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation. If you're looking to celebrate, it's March 27-April 2.

I plan to celebrate in normal fashion -- by coming to work and doing what I'm paid to do. Preparation, focus and productivity are my responsibility.

This article appeared in the February/March 2000 issue of MRO Today magazine. Copyright, 2000.