Last week, an air traffic controller fell asleep while on duty in Miami. Falling asleep at work is not uncommon for employees who work the night shift. Nighttime fatigue extends to a wide variety of jobs including truck driving, nursing, public transportation, and many others where the workers are unable to balance adequate sleep with their work schedules.

The air traffic controller is currently on suspension and the Federal Aviation Administration is taking steps to prevent employees from falling asleep on the job. They have recently revamped the employee schedules and are also advising employees that falling asleep is not acceptable and can be cause for termination.

If you are an employer who hires night shift workers, it is important to be aware of this potential problem and to take steps to prevent and discourage your employees from falling asleep during their shifts. Falling asleep during a shift can be dangerous to both employees and consumers.

However, night shift workers and other workers who fall asleep on the job are not the only employees who can violate safety procedures, thereby putting themselves, customers or others at risk. When hiring an employee, it is very important to define expectations and indicate the repercussions for misconduct.

The Law Office of Knellinger & Associates can help you put the right procedures in place and draft contracts between you and your employees. Our law office can assist you in defining employee expectations and the consequences your employees can expect to face if they do not meet those expectations.

The Law Office of Knellinger & Associates provides legal advice and representation for individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners in Gainesville, Florida, and communities throughout north central Florida, including cities such as Ocala, Starke, Palatka, Lake City, Middleburg, Trenton, Bronson, Lake Butler, Cross City, Williston, Chiefland, Alachua, Jasper, Live Oak, and Jacksonville, Florida.

Alachua County ● Putnam County ● Clay County ● Bradford County ● Union County ● Columbia County ● Gilchrist County ● Levy County ● Marion County ● Hamilton County ● St. Johns County ● Dixie County