Sunday Scaries - Make your workplace welcoming
The Sunday Scaries have been talked about for a while, but the idea has been back in the spotlight recently with the release of two sets of survey results showing employees are increasingly seeking to banish the dreaded Sunday afternoon panic.
A survey from recruitment consultant Robert Walters found that 45% of respondents believed work-life balance was the most important factor when considering a new job, compared to just 26% who placed importance on a competitive salary. Nearly two-thirds of respondents saw flexible working arrangements as the best non-monetary perk a new role could offer and 28% favoured a four-day working week.
That's similar to findings from the 2024 Randstad Employer Brand Research survey in which 44% of respondents from New Zealand named a lack of work-life balance as the number one reason they would leave their current employer.
So, what does that mean?
It's increasingly clear that five days in the office 9-5 is no longer going to cut it with many employees, even if the salary is good. Many people in the workforce, especially those in younger generations are now prioritising their mental and physical well-being in balance with employment. That might include wanting to:
spend more time with their family
be able to do personal or household admin during the working week rather than having to do it all during evenings or weekends
spend less time commuting
have time for volunteering, personal development or career-related development
have time to disconnect and prioritise mental health
Whatever the reasons, organisations need to be aware of the fact that employees want more. To be an attractive employer you need to look at what you can offer beyond the traditional salary package and how you can make your workplace one where your team members want to be, rather than a place they dread to go. A team that turns up on Monday full of dread and low on motivation also aren't going to do much for your organisation's productivity.
How organisations can help employees deal with the Sunday Scaries
At Do Good Jobs, we don’t often get the Sunday Scaries. Except perhaps if we’ve been reading news stories about recessions and job cuts!
Here are some reasons the Sunday Scaries don’t bother us so much….
We’re a remote-first team so we’re able to work from home (or wherever suits us best)
We’re lucky to be part of a team that recognises that flexibility can help productivity and that traditional work hours don’t always work for everyone. So, if you want to start early on Monday morning to get a jumpstart on the week you can. But if you’re a little slow at the beginning of the week you can start a bit later and ease in.
We do a Monday morning check-in. Every Monday, we all check in on our Slack channel. There we list what we’ve got planned for the week work-wise and what might affect our capacity during the week. It means everyone’s clear on what’s going on and what people’s workloads are like.
We work as a team. Again, we’re lucky that as a small, close-knit team we can take on tasks for others to help out. That means if someone needs time off for whatever reason, there will be someone there to pick up the work which reduces the worry of having to take time out.
We appreciate that we’re very fortunate to work in this way and that not everyone has the same benefits. But there are some things you can do as an employer to make Monday morning less dreadful for your team. Here are some tips.
If you can, implement a no-contact policy for evenings and weekends and ensure staff are not expected to check their emails outside of work hours, This leaves them free to enjoy their weekend and recharge.
Look at whether your team can work from home or start later on Mondays if that helps them get into the swing of the work week. Looking at ways you can be flexible in working generally, such as a hybrid home and office working model or early finishes on Fridays can also help to reduce anxiety about work and improve wellbeing which can reduce the scaries.
If your team can’t flex on hours or location, then consider whether you can make Mondays meeting free. This leaves your team with space to plan their week, catch up on regular tasks and pick up anything left over from the week before.
Build planning time into Fridays. On Friday afternoons give your team time to set aside for planning the following week. This can help everyone know exactly what they are doing when they come in on Monday and provide a chance for people to highlight any potential stumbling blocks or need for assistance before they finish for the week so they don’t spend the weekend worrying about it.
Start Mondays with an in-office treat - some nice muffins, great coffee or a bowl of fresh fruit, or a team exercise session to give your team something to look forward to. If you have remote workers, make sure this is something that can include them too!
Check in regularly with your team to make sure their workload is within capacity and that they aren't struggling with obstacles. Encourage open communication so staff feel comfortable raising issues. This can help to improve overall working conditions and reduce the risk of burnout.
Recognise that if one of the team turns up less than ready for work on Monday, it might be a personal issue that is causing them stress rather than work. Give them the chance to talk about it if they want and see if there’s anything you can do to help.
Reducing Sunday Scaries for your team is a win-win - your team will be happier at work, which in turn makes them more likely to engage with their work and be productive. That helps your organisation too. Plus being seen as an organisation that cares about its employees makes you more attractive to new hires when it comes to recruitment. So take a look at what you can do and make your workplace welcoming.
