The Monday dilemma

Published date: October 21, 2026

Should we start the week at home or in the office?

Monday traditionally marks the start of the working week, but in a hybrid working environment, starting the week on this day is no longer such a straightforward choice. Should we all gather at the office again to kick off the week together? Or is it more efficient and comfortable to spend the first working day at home? Recent research by recruitment specialist Robert Walters reveals that hybrid workers have widely differing preferences when it comes to how they like to start their week.

Opinions are divided

When respondents are given the choice between working from home or from the office on Mondays, 40% prefer the office. This puts the office slightly ahead of working from home, which is the preferred option for 35% of respondents. For 22%, the choice depends on the circumstances or their schedule for the week. Only a small minority (3%) have no clear preference.

According to Asia Skifati, Director at Robert Walters, this comes as no surprise. “For many people, Monday symbolises a fresh start. Some want to hit the ground running, while others prefer to ease into the week at a more relaxed pace. This diversity in working rhythms is only natural, and employers need to take it into account.”

Monday morning traffic? No, thank you!

For those who work from home on Mondays, avoiding rush-hour traffic in the morning and evening is by far the main reason. As many as 48% choose to work from home to save time on their commute. In addition, 29% appreciate being able to start the week at a more relaxed pace. Only 21% say they can concentrate better at home on Mondays. This suggests that practical and psychological considerations, rather than productivity gains, are the main factors influencing the decision to stay at home at the start of the week.

A good start is half the battle

Those who consciously choose to start their week at the office generally do so out of preference rather than obligation. Their main motivation is psychological: 52% say it helps them to “get the week off to a good start”. A sense of structure and routine clearly plays an important role. Some respondents also value the team spirit in the office, while a smaller group feel that the office environment provides greater clarity and a stronger sense of direction.

The impact of this choice on productivity is also worth noting. Just over half of respondents (51%) feel slightly to significantly more productive when they start the week at the office. For 29%, however, it makes no difference. One in five respondents even say they are less productive at the office on Mondays. The workplace itself is therefore not the decisive factor in output; productivity depends on a combination of individual preferences and team dynamics.

Monday: meeting day?

Monday meetings are another point of contention. While 29% consider Monday a perfectly good time to get together, 40% would rather start with short, focused check-ins. A further 31% prefer to avoid meetings on Mondays altogether and schedule them later in the week. Monday therefore seems best suited to brief catch-ups and planning, rather than spending long periods around the meeting table.

According to Asia Skifati, it is therefore important to plan Mondays strategically. “We see that employees need routine, but also autonomy. Monday does not have to be a marathon of meetings or a day spent rushing from one task to the next. It can serve as an anchor point for communication, collaboration and setting priorities, provided we listen carefully to what people need to get off to the best possible start.”

The Monday mindset

Another striking finding concerns how employees generally feel at the start of the week. A majority (52%) say they need some time to get going. Nevertheless, 44% report feeling refreshed and motivated on Monday mornings. Only a small minority (4%) still have their minds on the weekend. Employees are therefore certainly not negative about Mondays, although many appreciate a gentler start to the week.

What can employers learn from these insights?

The diversity of preferences calls for flexibility and trust. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to Mondays. By allowing room for different working styles while establishing clear agreements on office attendance and collaboration, employers can create a balance in which both individuals and teams can thrive.

Asia Skifati concludes: “The way we start the week depends not only on individual preferences, but also on the nature of the work and the context in which people operate. Not every role or sector offers the same opportunities for working from home, and teams have different needs too. The challenge is to find a balance between flexibility, collaboration and clear agreements within these realities. This enables employers to take into account both what employees need and what their work and organisation require.”