Bare Minimum Monday is not about slacking off; rather, it is focusing on what’s necessary and easing into the workweek. Photo: File.
Even before the pandemic, the eight-hour day, five-day week was under fire as an archaic relic of the first Industrial Revolution. Now James Mason suggests an innovative alternative to calls for a three-day weekend.
The five-day workweek has often been met with stress and despair by some employees since John Ford was one of the first to introduce it back in 1914.
Giving your all for five days a week to an organisation can be daunting, especially if, right from the start, it’s filled with tight deadlines, back-to-back meetings and hundreds of emails blocking your inbox.
Since COVID-19 forced a new way of working for many employees, things are changing.
For some, the nine-to-five grind is being looked upon as archaic, and compressing the week into four days is gaining traction.
Now ‘’Bare Minimum Monday’’ might be an alternative that’s becoming more attractive to organisations as a win-win situation.
Bare Minimum Monday is a relatively new workplace trend where employees start their week with only the most essential tasks.
It’s not about slacking off; rather, it is focusing on what’s necessary and easing into the workweek.
This approach aims to combat the dread and stress often accompanying the traditional Monday blues.
Imagine having a great weekend, but come Sunday evening the dread sets in and you realise you are closer to a new week where you’re faced with an unbearable workload.
Hasn’t this method of working had its day? Shouldn’t employers look at ways to give their workers a better mindset to start their week?
Some might dismiss this suggestion as another form of mindfulness nonsense. Why should we feel sorry for employees who ought to do the work they get paid for?
True, but who wants a workforce of complainers who would rather call in sick on a Monday or stress themselves into doing a bad job when they complete their Monday workday?
If productivity is the key to the success of the organisation, let’s look at some benefits of this approach.
Reduced burnout: By permitting employees to handle a lighter set of tasks, they can transition into the workweek more smoothly.
This approach allows them to acclimatise gradually before the workload increases in the following days.
Improved focus: By prioritising essential tasks, employees can effectively manage their workload, resulting in improved outcomes.
Enhanced morale: A more relaxed beginning to the week can greatly boost employee morale and create a positive work environment.
Creative problem-solving: Reduced stress can result in clearer thinking and more creative problem-solving.
In implementing Bare Minimum Mondays, employers need to take the following steps.
Communicate clearly: Make sure your team understands the concept and the reasons behind implementing Bare Minimum Monday.
Transparency is the key to everyone buying into the concept.
Set priorities: Help employees identify what tasks are essential and which ones can wait. This can be done through team meetings or individual check-ins.
Encourage flexibility: Allow employees to manage their own time and choose how they ease into their workweek. Trust is crucial here.
Monitor and adjust: Keep an eye on how Bare Minimum Monday is impacting productivity and morale. Be ready to make adjustments based on feedback.
There will, of course, be potential challenges that have to be overcome.
Balancing act: It’s essential to balance the ease of Bare Minimum Monday with the need to maintain overall productivity. Setting clear boundaries can help.
Consistent communication: Regularly communicate with your team to ensure everyone is on the same page and to address any concerns that may arise.
Training and development: Provide training on time management and prioritisation to help employees make the most of Bare Minimum Monday.
Several organisations have found success by implementing Bare Minimum Mondays and have reported positive outcomes.
For example, some tech firms have noted higher employee satisfaction and retention rates after adopting this approach.
By actively addressing mental health issues, these organisations have observed increased innovation and improved workplace morale.
It should be stressed that Bare Minimum Monday is not about doing less; it’s about focusing on what matters most.
For business leaders, embracing this trend could mean the difference between having a burnt-out workforce and a thriving, productive team.
By creating a work environment that prioritises mental health and wellbeing, you secure the way for long-term success and innovation with a culture that values the right mindset as much as productivity.
James Mason has worked for various organisations over an 18-year career. A seasoned blogger, he has created the blogsite Office Bantomime.
This article first appeared on the Office Bantomime website.
