Bare Minimum Mondays (BMM) is the latest workplace trend causing a stir about declining employee productivity. The idea behind this trend is to ease into the workweek by prioritizing self-care over productivity on Mondays. While the concept of BMM has gained attention in recent times, the buzz it has created among employees and employers is revealing many underlying workplace concerns.
Prioritizing Self-Care over Productivity
According to the BMM concept, employees are encouraged to slow down on Mondays and focus on their self-care. This can include activities such as meditation, taking a walk, or just taking extra time to prepare breakfast. The idea is to allow employees to ease into the workweek, which provides them with the necessary physical and emotional energy to be more productive later on.
Link to the “Sunday Scaries”
The “Sunday Scaries” is a feeling of anxiety and unease that some employees experience during their last few hours of freedom before the workweek. It’s a common phenomenon that many people experience, and it’s linked to the circadian rhythm of our body that impacts our sleep-wake cycle, mood, and behavior. By prioritizing self-care on Mondays, workers can help reduce the anxiety and stress they feel as the workweek approaches.
Connection to the 4-day workweek
Karen Siegel, HR and Business Development Manager at Delta Hire, says BMM is not only another nod to the 4-day workweek but also a reason why companies are leaning towards a shorter, more productive workweek. BMM aligns with this concept because it recognizes the importance of employee self-care and how it can improve their productivity.
Growing Concern Over Employee Burnout
Employee burnout buzzwords like “Quiet Quitting” and “Great Resignation” have created frustration among employees and employers over the last few years, leading more people to question work as a priority over mental, financial, and physical health. Employees are increasingly vocal about their need for mental and emotional wellbeing in the workplace.
Focusing on Employee Engagement and Retention
The sentiment behind the new buzzworthy phrase should be the main concern, not the meaning itself, as trends identify gaps in employee engagement and talent retention. When engagement and retention are jeopardized, companies face bigger issues such as declining productivity and rising costs of attracting, onboarding, and training new staff. Companies need to address the root causes of low engagement and retention rates, which may include a lack of employee support or a hostile work environment.
The importance of surveying employees lies in truly understanding their priorities, burnout levels, engagement levels, preferred working schedules, flexibility policies, and opinions of growing workplace trends. This allows companies to determine how to improve their organizational culture, recognize employee needs and foster employee engagement.
Pilot Initiatives for Shorter, More Productive Workweeks
As the demand for shorter, more productive workweeks grows louder and harder to ignore, some companies are piloting initiatives such as the 4-day workweek, half days, capped weekly hours, and overtime hours. These initiatives aim to provide employees with greater flexibility, improve their well-being, and increase their productivity.
Communication Strategies for Implementing Workplace Trends
Companies that implement communication strategies around the latest workplace trends will be the ones to succeed. It is essential that companies communicate effectively to promote buy-in from employees and stakeholders, understand their concerns, and outline the business case for these initiatives.
The focus on Bare Minimum Mondays exemplifies the growing trend of prioritizing employee self-care and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Companies that prioritize employee wellness, engagement, and retention are likely to see higher productivity from their employees, improved morale, and lower turnover rates. By surveying employees and designing initiatives that meet their needs, companies can create a more supportive and inclusive work environment.
