“Sunday Scaries” is a term that describes the anxiety and unease employees often feel on Sunday evenings, as the weekend comes to an end and a new workweek begins.
Depending on the type of work, position, and the individual’s personality, people react differently to this increasingly common phenomenon. The feeling can be mild, but it can also turn into significant stress that affects productivity, motivation, and mental health. Over time, it impacts not only the employee’s wellbeing but also the team and, ultimately, the entire organization.
For HR professionals and managers, understanding this phenomenon is important because it provides insight into how organizational culture, work environment, and expectations influence employee wellbeing.
Keep reading to learn more about Sunday Scaries and how you can help your employees prevent and manage them.
What does Sunday Scaries mean?
In practice, “Sunday Scaries” means that employees feel tension and worry in advance. They start thinking about deadlines, meetings, and responsibilities that await them once the weekend and relaxation are over. Translated, it means the “Sunday fear of Monday.”
The term captures all the unease, fears, and anxieties that come with Monday and the start of working hours when phones start ringing and inboxes fill up.
Some common signs include:
- trouble sleeping on Sunday night,
- a nervous stomach when thinking about the upcoming day and workload,
- a drop in energy on Mondays,
- feeling exhausted before the week even begins,
- lower motivation and engagement.
For companies, this means employees are not at their best right at the start of the week, which directly affects productivity and team dynamics. If employees arrive on Monday already stressed and not refreshed from the weekend, it is a clear red flag that the organization needs a strategy to help them overcome this challenge.
How to deal with Sunday Scaries?
Every HR professional or leader can play a key role in reducing this feeling among employees. The first step is simply recognizing that Sunday Scaries exist and paying attention to how strongly they affect your workforce.
Here are some practical steps you can take:
- Set realistic expectations. Avoid scheduling difficult meetings or setting tight deadlines on Monday mornings.
- Encourage open communication. Employees need to know they can talk about the pressure they are feeling.
- Provide wellbeing resources. Mental health programs, online therapy, or stress management workshops can be a great support. Give your employees access to a platform like Support Room and provide clear solutions.
- Offer Monday flexibility. Allow flexible working hours or a lighter start to the week.
- Encourage real rest on weekends. In today’s fast-paced world, many people struggle to switch off during days off fully. Remind employees of the importance of quality rest and help them find ways to recharge. Emphasize that productivity depends on how well they use their downtime.
When you approach this issue thoughtfully and strategically, you will notice changes not only on Monday mornings but throughout the week. By applying these steps, you show employees that you understand their struggles and care about removing uncertainty and sources of anxiety at the start of the week.
Are Sunday Scaries normal?
Yes, absolutely. This phenomenon is widespread, and research shows that more than 80% of employees feel some form of anxiety on Sunday evenings. This is not an individual issue but a widespread pattern that often points to:
- work overload,
- poor work-life balance,
- a workplace culture dominated by stress and high expectations.
For HR and managers, this is a signal that the organization should work more actively on wellbeing strategies and integrate digital mental health tools into the workplace.
How to get rid of Sunday Scaries?
This phenomenon is not easy to manage, and it cannot be completely eliminated by simply telling employees it is bad for them. While it may not be possible to remove it entirely, leaders and HR teams can significantly reduce its frequency and intensity. Here is how:
- Introduce “soft Mondays.” Plan team check-ins focused on support and organization rather than criticism. Avoid overwhelming employees with heavy tasks as soon as they arrive at work.
- Promote balance. Make it clear that employees are not expected to work on weekends or check emails on Sundays. An actual day off is just as crucial for the business as a highly productive day because recovery directly impacts performance on Monday morning.
- Promote wellbeing initiatives. Provide access to online therapy, stress management training, and mental health programs. This demonstrates that you are committed to addressing the root causes of anxiety.
- Lead by example. Managers who respect their work-life balance send a strong message to employees. Show your team how you manage stress and encourage them to engage in activities like walking, exercising, or spending time with family and friends. Be an example of how successful people value their free time.
- Build a culture of trust. When employees feel supported, they are less likely to experience fear and pressure at the start of the week. Be approachable, understanding, and invite them to discuss their challenges openly.
If you approach the issue of Monday anxiety strategically, you will significantly improve your business because employees will come in on Monday motivated and ready to work. At the same time, you will demonstrate genuine care and foster trust, which employees will return with commitment, effort, and positivity in the workplace.
Give your employees access to comprehensive online support, such as Support Room, and eliminate the fear of Mondays, just as forward-thinking managers in leading global companies do.