Mondays kind of get a bad rap. With songs like “Monday Monday” (“Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day”), “Manic Monday” and “I Don’t Like Mondays” (let’s not go down that road) the first day after the weekend gets little love in popular culture.
Still, what’s long been regarded as the foundational day of the work week — setting the tone for productivity in the days that follow — has been almost sacrosanct in corporate culture. Now that’s changing, whether due to a new generation, the advent of remote technology, the work practices fallout from the pandemic — or a combination of the above.
“Employers need to find a balance between structured in-office collaboration and the autonomy that many employees now expect.” – Martin Fox
A new report from Robert Walters recruitment agency finds a split among employees on whether Mondays should be spent in the office or working from home. While 46 per cent of those surveyed say Monday is the most valuable workday and 25 per cent feel they’re more productive in the office on that day, 35 per cent would rather ease into the work week by working from home on Mondays. Needless to say, this presents a challenge for employers focused on productivity and cohesive teamwork.
“Employers need to find a balance between structured in-office collaboration and the autonomy that many employees now expect,” says Martin Fox, managing director of Robert Walters Canada. “A phased or flexible return on Mondays, perhaps with incentives or designated collaboration time, could be an effective way to drive engagement and business success.”
The agency’s 2025 Talent Trends e-guide reveals that for businesses requiring a full-time office presence, it isn’t easy finding talent — 72 per cent of recruitment professionals report hiring difficulties for such jobs. So what are employers to do? Be flexible in their approach and regularly survey their employees to understand changing preferences and productivity trends in their team.
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