A study of 2,000 UK adults in work found that almost eight in 10 consider their colleagues ‘friends’ outside of the office
The days of the workplace ‘watercooler moment’ may be coming to an end – as just one in 10 now have casual chats at the former office staple.
A poll of 2,000 workers found that they often have casual chats with colleagues in unexpected places like the office car park (15%) or lift (14%). But according to behavioural neuroscientist Dr Lynda Shaw, these informal conversations are vital for productivity.
The study, conducted by Jakemans, highlights the importance of Monday morning chats in boosting employee morale and focus for the week ahead. Dr Shaw explained: “After a weekend of activities with family and friends, it’s helpful to get our heads into ‘work-mode’ on Monday morning.”
“This means those seemingly ‘unimportant’ conversations are actually extremely important to ensure we have the opportunity to download our thoughts with someone willing to be a sounding board.”
“Of course, this should be a mutual exercise, and once achieved we can get on with work. Working from home means we need those Monday morning conversations even more, so, making sure we have them with others, even online, means we will feel far more motivated.”
The survey revealed that 64% of workers prefer to catch up with colleagues before starting their Monday tasks, and 86% believe maintaining good personal relationships with co-workers is crucial.
Intriguingly, a study reveals that 22% of employees stay connected to their work mates over the weekend, with a whopping 73% having regular text or WhatsApp conversations and 26% meeting up in person.
What workers seem to miss most about being in the office are those coffee breaks filled with idle chatter (31%), communal lunches (25%), and sharing a laugh over work challenges (24%).
Speaking on the matter, Elizabeth Hughes-Gapper from Jakemans remarked: “Our relationships and conversations are what boosts our morale for the week ahead.”
She added: “We depend on them to keep us driven and could be the contributing factors as to why Mondays seem to be the day people find most productive.”
Most talked about topics on a Monday:
- Weekend activities / what you got up to at the weekend
- The weather
- Netflix/ TV shows/ movies
- Family / kids
- Sport / sports fixtures
- Holidays
- Food and drink
- Weekend plans for the next weekend
- Politics
- Music
DR LYNDA SHAW’S TOP TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MONDAYS:
1. Kickstart with energising conversations, but hold the work-chat
Start your Monday with positive, non-work-related catch-ups with colleagues. This helps transition from weekend mode to work mode while boosting mood and setting a collaborative tone for the week.
2. Plan for your Monday, on the Friday before
One of the most effective ways to get the most out of your Monday is preparation. Prepare for your Monday by setting manageable goals and creating your to-do list on the Friday before. This reduces feeling overwhelmed on a Monday morning and gives you a clear, productive direction right from the start.
3. Use Monday to build relationships with colleagues
Make time for social interactions, whether in-person or remote as this stimulates the feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain. Monday is a great day to reconnect, fostering teamwork and motivation through casual, trust-building conversations which lead to increased productivity, increased engagement and loyalty.
4. Celebrate early wins, no matter how small
Start your Monday with tasks that give you a quick sense of achievement. Celebrating small wins on Monday can boost your confidence and set a positive momentum for the rest of the week.
5. Reframe your mindset about what a Monday can bring
We have been conditioned to not look forward to Mondays. Instead, shift your perspective—see it as a fresh opportunity to make progress – you are after all, in control of the speed of your Monday and how you experience it.
