A business owner in Winnipeg's Exchange District was upset to see a city worker having some shut-eye on the job, in a marked city van, earlier this week.

Sylvia Bock, who owns Blue Moon Furniture on Pacific Avenue, said she was looking for a parking spot near her store late Tuesday morning when she spotted the worker "relaxing with his eyes closed" behind the wheel of a Mercedes Benz van that has the City of Winnipeg logo on it.

Bock says she was upset by to see the employee apparently napping on the job and taking up a downtown parking space. (Sylvia Bock) "Pulled up behind him, took a couple pictures from beside him, in front of him. He didn't open his eyes," she told CBC News.

"I don't want to say he was sleeping, but he was looking like he was not in a hurry to go anywhere."

A city spokesperson confirmed that the worker, who is an employee of the Water and Waste Department, was not on a lunch or coffee break at the time. It has launched an investigation.

"The city considers these types of incidents extremely disappointing. We do not tolerate this type of conduct, and appropriate actions will be taken to address it," the spokesperson stated in an email.

Bock said she was upset to see the employee apparently napping on the job.

"I just feel like it's such a waste of our taxpayers' dollars," she said, adding that the van was taking up a valuable downtown parking space.

"To have City of Winnipeg workers sleeping and taking up spaces in our premium spots is not good for business."

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents city workers, says it would not comment until the city's investigation is complete.