Boss defends new work trend

A boss has defended her decision to introduce a radical new movement into her workplace, despite claims it is simply a “lazy” and “entitled” Gen Z trend.

“Bare Minimum Mondays” is a movement that promotes a “gentle start” to the working week by easing the usual pressures and expectations that arise after the weekend.

While it can look different for each team, it usually entails staff working from home on Mondays, while doing the least amount of work required for their role.

Adelaide marketing manager Caitlin Winter recently made waves on social media after speaking about her experience incorporating this new practice into her team.

The 31-year-old said that for her, it was a way for staff to take their day at their own pace and to treat themselves with “space and kindness” to set up for a productive week.

“A lot of people think it means I sit in my PJs all day in front of the TV and do no work,” she laughed.

“But in reality, it is simply a day where we work from home, don’t schedule in any meetings and generally just treat ourselves with a little more space and kindness to set up for a productive week ahead.

“For us, it means not putting pressure on ourselves to get those big projects done.

“Other things that we might get to do on these days are loads of washing we didn’t get to on the weekend, grocery shopping, planning dinners for the week or walking your dog.

“For one member of my team, it means being able to drop off and pick up her kids from school which she is unable to do during the week.”

NEW TRENDS

There is no denying that the pandemic has changed the way many people work forever.

Gone are the days where staff are expected to be in the office all day, every day, watching the clock from their swivel chairs until it hits home time.

Many companies around the world have embraced flexible modes of working, including “work from home” days and the freedom to choose their own hours.

These changes have been praised by staff, and are said to help improve productivity and mental health by helping to achieve an optimal work-life balance.

However, with the days of isolating at home largely behind us, there have been calls by some in higher power for things to revert to how they were before Covid.

Some bosses have even forced staff to come back to the office full-time, sparking fierce backlash from those who have adapted to flexible working.

Radical new workplace trends are on the rise, including the four day work week and “quiet quitting”.

Now we’re seeing “Bare Minimum Mondays” sweeping the nation, inciting varied reactions from those who have embraced it, while others have slammed it as “lazy” and “entitled”

Despite this, Caitlin says it has been nothing but a positive change.

She explained that she often uses this time to help her achieve more goals and get to tasks she may not otherwise have time for during the rest of the week,

“And of course, if there are urgent matters I need to get to, those will get done too. I don’t just push all ‘work’ to Tuesday,” she said.