Banish the blues this ‘Brew’ Monday
Here we are nearly mid-way through January and the festive period is long gone and any signs of Spring seem distant. For some people this can be the most difficult part of the year and for employers it can also be difficult to motivate staff.
The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’ or ‘Blue Monday’, but this is a myth. We all have our good days and our bad days. Having said that, The Samaritans designate the third Monday in January as ‘Brew Monday’. They advocate making time for a cuppa, a chat and a listen.
It is always a good idea to check in with colleagues or employees and for all our good intentions the busy workplace means that we do not always connect as we should. There are lots of benefits of checking in with colleagues or employees:
- Drives employee engagement
- Improves employee welfare
- Prevents miscommunication
- Provides opportunity for collaboration
- Reduces pressure on end-of-year reviews
For those companies where remote working is now the norm, timeout and a chat can be more important to prevent employees feeling isolated, and is essential when managing that workforce remotely.
Remember that the most important part of any conversation is listening. If you ask someone how they are then be prepared to listen:
- Make eye contact and put away your phone.
- Focus completely on the other person.
- Pauses are fine, try not to jump in to fill a silence.
- Repeat what you have heard back to them.
- Resist putting your own interpretation on it.
So, if you can, make next Monday your Brew Monday – it could have all sorts of benefits for you, your company or your colleagues; and it doesn’t just have to be next Monday.
For more information visit the Samaritans site where they also have lots of resources.
Little tips for helping someone open up when something’s up | Samaritans