Most Americans don't need reminding to do their jobs. It usually goes with
showing up for work each day. Garbage men pick up garbage, teachers teach and
accountants double-check their math.

In Boston, however, it seems that some mass-transit employees can't be
trusted to stay awake. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority recently
posted memos along the Green Line of the subway, reminding workers not to sleep
while working, along with other workplace policies, the Boston Herald
reports.

A memo posted just before Christmas on the window of a staff booth sought to
remind employees about the necessity to maintain "Attention to Duty."

As the Herald reports:

It then spells out the rule, stating "each employee must pay attention to
his/her duties at all times." To maximize safe operations workers "must not
engage in unnecessary conversation or engage in any form of horseplay or
distracting behavior." And intercom use must be "used for operational purposes
only."

Lastly, the rule states, "an employee must not sleep or give the
appearance of sleeping while on duty."

An agency spokesman told the newspaper that the reminders were posted in
response to incidents in which a Green Line worker used an intercom
inappropriately and another "gave the appearance of being inattentive."

Regardless, the memo struck some riders as silly. "It's like being back in
school again," said passenger Carla Halliday, 27, "like little children being
reminded what to do in the morning."