What are bare minimum Mondays?

Bare minimum Mondays are when employees do less work on Mondays to prevent burnout for the rest of the week. This process can include starting the day with self-care routines and avoiding emails. It’s similar to quiet quitting, where employees do just enough all week to keep their jobs, whereas bare minimum Mondays focus on doing less on the first day of the week. It also might mean only attending important meetings or taking lots of breaks. Employees often do this to avoid the “Sunday anxieties,” which are negative feelings about starting the workweek—ruining half of a weekend break.

The trend, popular among remote and office workers, went viral after digital creator Marisa Jo Mayes shared her experience on TikTok. Some employers say it helps reduce burnout and stress, while others criticize it as a sign of laziness and poor work ethic that can negatively affect business.

Reasons for bare minimum Mondays

Several issues can motivate this behaviour, including the following:

Anxiety on Sundays

Employees typically have a two-day weekend, depending on their schedule. Regardless of which day of the week their break is, anxiety, fear, and panic often creep in on the second day, proactively worrying about what tomorrow’s workday will entail. Unfortunately, negative feelings about Mondays can lower your employees’ productivity. Many who follow the bare minimum Monday trend believe it helps with Sunday fears. The idea is that less stress about Monday’s tasks can allow employees to begin the week with more energy and a positive attitude.

Work pressure

High pressure from tight deadlines or demanding bosses can encourage negative employee behaviour. Rather than motivating, it often demotivates employees. If they miss deadlines, the pressure might increase, leading to anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, and even depression. Although not a long-term fix, employees can focus on self-care and avoid work stress using a bare minimum Monday approach.

Burnout

Burnout typically happens when employees feel exhausted and cannot keep up with their work.  Even basic tasks can become challenging when employees are physically or emotionally drained. To fight burnout, taking frequent breaks or reducing work hours can help. Many employees use bare minimum Mondays to work fewer hours and cope with burnout without completely stepping away from their jobs.

Decreased productivity

Beginning the week with an unrealistic to-do list can lower productivity. However, employees who pace themselves reasonably tend to produce better-quality work and avoid burnout. Bare minimum Mondays can help your team start their week slowly, building up their momentum as the week progresses.

Poor mental health

Depression, panic attacks, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can impact how employees handle work. For many, bare minimum Mondays can help manage these mental health challenges. While this method does not cure the issues, it can keep them from worsening. The future thought of Monday’s workload can cause panic and stress, exacerbating mental health problems.

Negative work-life balance

One significant reason behind the bare minimum Monday trend is to find a better work-life balance. Many see it as a way to put their needs first rather than focusing only on work. Employees might do self-care activities before or after doing only the necessary job-related tasks for the day. Self-care on Mondays can help build confidence and make the week more manageable. Engaging in creative activities can also make employees feel more productive and motivated to work.

What are self-care activities on bare minimum Mondays?

It can depend on whether employees are in-office or if they work from home, but most consider the following as self-care activities on bare minimum Mondays:

• Going for a run or doing yoga
• Meditating, taking a long bath, or practising deep breathing exercises
• Reading, painting, knitting, or engaging in other creative pursuits
• Journaling, practising gratitude, or reflecting on personal goals
• Taking a nap
• Listening to music or watching a movie
• Going for a walk outside, gardening, or spending time outdoors

Pros of bare minimum Mondays

Bare minimum Mondays have several advantages for employees and employers, including:

Boosting morale

Starting the week with a lighter workload can help employees ease into their week, improving overall morale and reducing Sunday anxieties and the Monday blues.

Reducing burnout

Allowing employees to start the week with manageable tasks can help prevent burnout and lead to more sustained productivity.

Improving focus and efficiency

Employees can use bare minimum Mondays to prioritize and organize their tasks for the rest of the week, enhancing their efficiency and focus.

Improving work-life balance

This approach can support a better work-life balance, leading to higher retention rates.

Encouraging creativity

A more relaxed start to the week can foster creativity, as employees typically feel less stress and are more open to innovative thinking.

Promoting mental health

Reducing the pressure on Mondays can contribute to better mental health and help employees feel valued and understood by their employers.

Increasing engagement

When employees feel their well-being matters to their employer, they generally engage and commit more to their work and the company.

Cons of bare minimum Mondays

Many employers might relate to some cons of this trend, including:

Reduced productivity on Mondays

Starting the week with minimal effort can lead to a slow start, potentially delaying project timelines and productivity.

Inconsistent work output

Employers might experience inconsistent work output, with a drop on Mondays, affecting the momentum for high performance throughout the week.

Difficulty in scheduling

Coordinating team activities, meetings, or deadlines can become challenging if everyone operates at a reduced capacity on Mondays.

Perception of complacency

Implementing bare minimum Mondays might create a perception of complacency or lack of seriousness towards work, potentially impacting team dynamics and work culture.

Potential for abuse

Some employees might take advantage of the relaxed Monday policy, consistently underperforming or not transitioning back to full productivity on other days.

Management challenges

Supervisors and managers may struggle to balance and monitor productivity while ensuring employees meet essential tasks and responsibilities.

It may not be suitable for all sectors

Bare minimum Mondays only fit some jobs or workers. Employees with fixed schedules, like bartenders or customer service reps, can’t easily follow this trend without risking poor service. Some workers may find this behaviour ineffective and prefer to start their week strong by being productive on Mondays so they can enjoy lighter Fridays.

What employers can do to prevent bare minimum Mondays

Employers have various options to avoid bare minimum Mondays in the workplace, such as:

Encouraging team-building activities

Team-building activities can deter bare minimum Mondays by adding fun and variety to the workday. Companies might consider setting aside time each day for these activities to break up routines and make work more enjoyable. You can encourage teamwork, which can ease workloads and boost productivity. These activities can also help employers and employees learn more about each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which can uncover what might be causing the Monday blues.

Implementing an employee assistance program

An employee assistance program (EAP) can help your team manage stress through counselling, advice, and follow-ups. This program can also provide tips for dealing with Sunday anxiety and support for trauma, divorce, or substance abuse, which can also affect workplace behaviour.

Recognizing employees

Small gestures like saying thank you or acknowledging efforts can make employees feel appreciated and motivated to do better. Recognizing achievements, even on less productive days, can make Mondays easier to get through. Encouraging peer recognition on social media can also help spread positivity and appreciation among colleagues.

Offering flexible schedules

With flexible hours, employees can choose their most productive times and adjust their schedules to fit personal needs. This flexibility allows them to handle unexpected events and ongoing responsibilities and take breaks when required, potentially reducing the stress of Mondays.

Bare minimum Mondays generally involve working less on Mondays to counteract Sunday anxiety and avoid burnout. Employees might start the week with lighter tasks, engage in self-care, or skip checking their emails to reduce stress. While this approach can help with mental health and productivity, it might not suit all jobs or workers. Employers can minimize this trend by introducing flexible schedules, team-building activities, and wellness support to improve work engagement and employee well-being and satisfaction.