NationStates Jolt Archive

Name: Sleeping on the job.

Validity: All, I guess, unless anyone can come up with any reasons why not.

Description: Many companies have noticed their employees have been less productive recently, apparently preferring to find a quiet corner where they can catch forty winks. CEOs across the nation are united in demanding the government do something.

[option]"Sleepy workers are dragging down the productivity of my company!" cries @@RANDOMNAME@@, CEO of MegaCorp, @@NATION@@'s largest corporation. "And the wimpy workers' rights groups are on my back saying it's probably dangerous having tired workers using heavy machinery. The government must make it law that everyone must get at least 8 hours sleep every night! Shut down tv channels, radio stations, bars, clubs, whatever - but make sure they get their 8 hours!"
[effect]sales of condoms skyrocket as late-night leisure activities are shut down

[option]"That's not a bad idea, but I don't think we need to pass any laws", says @@RANDOMNAME@@, your minister for public health. "Just start an awareness programme so your people know the effects of not getting enough sleep. Sure it'll cost, but think of the boost to the economy!"
[effect]the nation shuts down every night as the populace make sure they are in bed by 11pm

[option]"No more laws, and no more taxes" chants a group of bleary-eyed protestors outside your office. Using a megaphone, their leader shouts "We don't need the government dictating every little part of our lives. And we certainly don't need to pay more taxes! We'll get as much sleep as we damn well like, and there's nothing you can do to stop us!"
[effect]sleeping workers falling into industrial machinery tops the national chart of accidents in the workplace

[option]"There is an alternative..." muses @@RANDOMNAME@@, one of @@NATION@@'s top scientists. "Give us a little bit of a time, and a lot of money, and I'm sure we can come up with some sort of drug to make people drowsy. We can put it in the water supply. That would solve the problem almost immediately."
[effect]a narcolepsy epidemic sweeps the nation

Comments? Improvements?

Maybe an option from the perspective of a sleepy worker.

Also, for the last option, wouldn't drugging the population into drowsiness adversly affect their work-time productivity?

Maybe an option from the perspective of a sleepy worker.
I was considering that, but couldn't decide whether they'd be for or against legislation.

Also, for the last option, wouldn't drugging the population into drowsiness adversly affect their work-time productivity?
Yep, that's the point. Science fails again!

The last option just doesn't make sense. How would drowsiness drugs solve the problem? Surely a drug that has the opposite effect, keeping people awake, is what should be used?

Science fails again? It hasn't failed...the drug makes people drowsy, and it has succeeded: [effect]a narcolepsy epidemic sweeps the nation

The last option just doesn't make sense. How would drowsiness drugs solve the problem? Surely a drug that has the opposite effect, keeping people awake, is what should be used?

Science fails again? It hasn't failed...the drug makes people drowsy, and it has succeeded:
The whole point is that the scientists are trying to do good and failing. Their actual aim is to increase productivity in the workplace (which is what the issue is about), and they're failing. Think of it as being on the same lines as using thalidomide to cure morning sickness.

How exactly would a government sleep-awareness program boost the economy? Moreover, why does every option assume the problem is that people aren't getting enough sleep? What about workers simply being lazy? Where's the option allowing me to allow my corporate puppetmasters to fire all their asses?

EDIT: Oh, and it might be funnier turning the third choice into a "Teamsters" option, with corrupt labor leaders arguing that it's every worker's God-given right to sleep on the job, or something.

EDIT: Oh, and it might be funnier turning the third choice into a "Teamsters" option, with corrupt labor leaders arguing that it's every worker's God-given right to sleep on the job, or something.
Agreed would work too. The drosy people say they need to be able to go out later at night and need afternoon naps or something.

The effects of options 2 and 4 should be changed. Option 2's should dramaticize the fear mongering and make it clear just how scared people are of not getting enough sleep. Option 4's should be more indirect and discribe people as lazy rather than sleepy.