As Blue Monday, the “most depressing day of the year,” arrives on 20 January, workplace relocation experts Making Moves London bring uplifting insights for UK employees.
A recent study has found that Fridays are the happiest day of the week for office workers, offering a brighter perspective during the January blues.
Why Friday Brightens the Week
The Most Enjoyable Day: Fridays emerged as the most positive day to work in the office, thanks to the anticipation of the weekend and a more relaxed work atmosphere.
Social Connection: Fridays are also the most popular day for after-work social events, helping to foster camaraderie among teams.
Making Moves London’s research encourages employers to rethink workplace dynamics and prioritise strategies to boost employee morale year-round, starting with Blue Monday.
Key Findings from the Study:
‘Sunday Scaries’: Over 41% of respondents report feeling anxiety about the upcoming workweek over the weekend, with millennials aged 25–34 being the most affected.
Lunch Spending Struggles: Rising costs mean two-thirds of employees are now meal-prepping to save on expensive office lunches.
Remote Work Distractions: Common distractions include social media, housework, and even napping – with one in three Gen Z employees admitting to midday dozing.
Tips to Combat Blue Monday and Beyond:
Introduce Flexible Schedules: Encouraging employees to work from the office on Fridays can tap into the natural positivity of the day.
Offer Supportive Resources: Help younger employees manage work-related anxiety with initiatives like mental health check-ins or mindfulness programs.
Host Friday Socials: Create lighthearted opportunities for teams to connect, such as coffee catch-ups or team-building activities.
Sally Evans, Managing Director at Making Moves says:
“Blue Monday doesn’t have to set the tone for the year. We recently published a study showing that out of every day of the week, people who work from an office prefer to kick their week off by working from the office on a Monday. Although it can be tempting to skip the commute and spend a bit of extra time in bed, by working from the office on a Monday, team members can embrace the start of the week by getting out of the house, getting exposure to natural daylight and socialising with colleagues, which will positively affect the rest of their week.
This January, let’s focus on creating workplace environments that energise and not drain our teams.”
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