It is now known that some days are better than others to perform certain tasks.

For many years I ran my weekly team meeting on a Monday morning and I could not understand why it never seemed to have much spark. The team struggled to remember the previous week. They were generally de-motivated. I moved the team meeting to Wednesday mornings and immediately the meetings were more punchy and productive.

Days for external interactions and business development are more effectual on a Thursday or Friday. I now pencil in Business Development for those days. Mornings better for interviews.

It is also interesting to see some statistics from our online advertising that shows which days are more popular for candidates to search online for roles.   

Monday is by far the most popular day to search for jobs online, followed by Tuesday and Thursday. Saturday is the slowest day for job searching, work gets forgotten.  

In terms of timing, most candidates search for jobs online between 1pm and 3pm then again at night – between 9pm and 10pm.  A lunchtime spent checking the job market and at night, post family commitments.

Each day of the week affects our workplace behaviour.

Monday – the great Aussie sickie!

A new study from the Workforce Institute in the US reveals that 39% of workers admit to calling in sick because they want an extra day off – and Monday is the peak day for this. This means offices are likely to be more short-staffed and co-workers more stressed on a Monday.  It is also common to suffer depression on a Sunday afternoon and night, as you feel overwhelmed by the week ahead, and may feel regretful you did not complete the tasks you set for the weekend. No wonder my team meetings did not work on a Monday!

Tuesday- day of doing!

Tuesday is the peak day for work output and efficiency. You are back into routine and are not tired of the working week. Intellectual performance peaks are between 10am and noon, so work output is likely to be at its optimum at this time.

Wednesday – day of creativity!

Wednesday is the best day for creative thinking, strategy and brainstorming. Your brain is fully engaged with work, but you still have plenty of midweek energy.   I now understand why a weekly team meeting on a Wednesday works better!

Thursday – day of negotiation!

Workers are relatively more submissive and open to negotiation. It could be argued that it is the best day to nail a transaction.

Friday – a day of more risks!

Workers take more risks and have more accidents on a Friday. This is a day to broach new thinking and ways to work. It is a “ Blue Sky day”

So in these unpredictable market times, insightful leadership and motivation is critical and working with the rhythms of the week can make a big difference.

For more information contact Simone Allan, Director at Mondo Search on 1300 737 917 or email simone@mondosearch.com.au.

Copyright: The above is the intellectual property of Mondo Search Pty Ltd. None of the information provided may be copied or reproduced in part or in full without the prior written permission of a director of Mondo Search Pty Ltd.

In a world that has uncertain trading conditions and highly volatile market challenges and an Australian media that feeds that uncertainty, people often feel very insecure in the workplace. Australia is a lucky nation with low unemployment levels of around 4.5%, unlike the US that is pushing 10.5%, (declared). Many companies suggest having corporate values and visions and missions, but if you were to ask the average employee what was important to them, in these times, they would say a steady career path and a guaranteed job.

Values are critical in any relationship, in fact if you consider those people that are close to you – no doubt you would have “a meeting of the minds” in terms of aligned values and attitudes about life. A harmonious workplace, like a
harmonious relationship occurs when people are aligned to the values and people feel safe to express their point of view. Andrew Horabin once spoke about the essence of his book “Bullshift- getting honesty and straight talk in the workplace” and he stated that if people are not heard and made to feel safe – they will be defensive, make excuses and abdicate responsibility. These are all behaviours that reduce workplace productivity.

Of all the critical values that a company can have – the first is that an employee should feel safe in their tenure. A famous psychologist – Abraham Maslow who examined human needs found that there is a hierarchy of needs and feeling safe is the top of the tree. People need to feel safe – they need to feel that their role is secure and that they are supported. If you ever study youth delinquents- they have a history of feeling neglected and unsafe.

Therefore – if you are happy with your team – think about ways that you can make them feel safe in their career journey with you – allow them to be able to express their thoughts and opinions with encouragement and make time with them regularly, to review their progress and their long term role in your company. Feeling safe in the workplace is more than compliance to Occupational Health and Safety standards!