Should Companies Follow TikTok Trends To Make Employees Happier?

Throughout 2023, employee attitudes at the workplace underwent a significant shift. TikTok trends and social media saw buzzwords like "Bare Minimum Mondays," "coffee badging," "rage applying," and "boomerang employees" emerge online. These are not just trending phrases — they symbolize the evolving mindset of the current workforce, mainly millennials and Gen Zers.

The proliferation of such trends addresses two critical issues: the alarming levels of job burnout and the resurgence of return-to-office directives. These new work concepts reflect a much-needed change — a shift from the high-strung hustle culture to a more balanced work-life approach, focusing on employees' mental well-being.

However, these trends can be both a boon and a bane, depending on their application. The sharing of insights on how to grab a "lazy girl job" or "act your wage" at work on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok has become common. But it's not yet clear if these trends are mere internet fads or if they're truly triggering meaningful changes in work cultures.

Some employees have reported that their companies are adapting to these trends, significantly improving their work environment.

Take the example of Alexa, a 27-year-old Los Angeles-based marketing writer "who declined to share her last name and the name of her employer so she could speak freely about her employment situation." She started to incorporate the concept of Bare Minimum Mondays into her work routine after learning about it on TikTok. For Alexa, it involves prioritizing three to five tasks for the day, leaving more demanding work for the rest of the week.

"It’s just giving myself permission to let those days be slow, so I’m not using up all of my energy at the top of the week and depleted by Wednesday," she said. This process allows her to manage her energy levels efficiently. When her manager embraced this trend, it fueled her confidence and enhanced her productivity.

The face behind Bare Minimum Monday, TikTok creator Marisa Jo Mayes, introduced the idea out of her own need to combat stress and guilt associated with unfulfilled to-do lists. It also helps alleviate the usual Monday grind that can bring a knot of anxiety in your belly, aptly dubbed the "Sunday Scaries." This unnerving feeling is experienced by a whopping 75% of American workers. With Marisa’s approach of reduced expectations, surprisingly, she ended up achieving more.

So, what does a typical Bare Minimum Monday look like? Mostly, it involves focusing on essential tasks. Some might find their creativity sparked and use the day to be more innovative. Mayes, for instance, keeps her phone and email off for the first two hours of her Monday. She uses this time to read, journal, or do chores. She works for about three hours and spends the first part of this focusing on the creative aspects of her job.

But what if you're in a more traditional 9-to-5 job, and relaxed Mondays seem like a far-off luxury? Mayes clarifies that Bare Minimum Monday is more about a shift in mindset. Focus on essential tasks and let go of unnecessary stressors.

The concept does have its advocates, according to Built In. Ivori Johnson, the head of people, talent, and DEIB at ChartHop, appreciates the idea of easing into Mondays, allowing space and time for focused work without a packed meeting schedule. Similarly, Amy Casciotti, vice president of HR at TechSmith, agrees that structured work time during more productive periods of the day can yield better results.

The pros of Bare Minimum Monday are apparent. It creates time for focused work, boosts employee morale, and potentially reduces burnout, fostering much-needed work-life balance.

However, there are critics and potential drawbacks.

The concept of Bare Minimum Monday could negatively impact productivity. Expecting less from yourself on Mondays might not boost everyone's efficiency. The sudden reduction in work hours might lead to being labeled as a "low performer," according to Caitlin Collins, an organizational psychologist with Betterworks. Also, with many companies offering flexible options like half-day Fridays or four-day workweeks, adding a Bare Minimum Monday could leave you with just three full workdays, potentially affecting your productivity and overall performance.

Meeting business requirements might also become a challenge. Roles like IT and sales professionals require timely responses or continuous effort, which can't always be accommodated within a condensed time frame. Clients might expect support on a Monday and may hesitate to work with a company that is unavailable on the first day of the week. Additionally, Bare Minimum Monday could be a concern for team members who depend on your inputs or approvals for their projects.

Finally, the constant deferral of tasks could lead to a pile-up of work. This could snowball into an overwhelming backlog, heightening stress levels and making work more daunting the rest of the week.

Overall, the emergence of trends like "Bare Minimum Mondays" underscores the need for greater flexibility and consideration of employee well-being in the workplace. The varying opinions on such trends reflect the complexity of work culture dynamics. However, the pivotal message here is for organizations to take seriously the pressing need to adapt to these changes that prioritize mental health, balance, and productivity. As we progress into 2024 and beyond, embracing open dialogues about work culture and prioritizing mental well-being will foster both individual and collective growth.