Sleeping on the Job

It’s not unknown for people to fall asleep at work – but one very tired German bank employee accidentally transferred millions of euros while napping on his keyboard.

What should have been a small transfer of €62.40 (£53.63)  turned into a huge order for €222,222,222.22 (£190 million).

The bank noticed the mistake quickly, and corrected the amount of the transfer. However, they fired the man’s 48 year-old colleague for allowing the order to go through unchecked.

The case eventually went to court because the sacked worker wanted his job back. Luckily the court in Hessen agreed and ruled he should be reinstated.

Now that’s a lot of grief caused by falling asleep on the job. So if you want to make sure you don’t nod off and drop a clanger, here are some tips for staying awake:

• Pop outside for five minutes and walk briskly. Natural light slows down the production of melatonin, the hormone that makes us feel sleepy
• Use full-spectrum lighting in your office – it mimics daylight and boosts energy levels
• Try essential oils like basil, grapefruit and lemon. Just put a few drops into a small bowl of water on your desk if you feel sleepy
• A short burst of music can also stimulate the brain and keep tiredness at bay.