TL;DR
Blue Monday is a PR invention, but January pressures are real. Swap token gestures for (1) connection over campaigns, (2) daylight-aware scheduling, (3) targeted financial support, (4) retention moves for the January job-hunt spike, and (5) time-smart working trials. Back it with Acas/NICE guidance and measure outcomes, not noise.
The “most depressing day” idea started as a mid-2000s travel PR formula and has been debunked for years. UK charities actively counter it - Samaritans rebranded it as Brew Monday, urging people to connect rather than catastrophise. Use the moment to prompt useful conversations, not armchair diagnoses. (In 2026, the third Monday is 19th January.)
Instead of a poster, create five-minute connection moments in teams: a virtual cuppa, check-ins on energy levels and clear signposting to support. Samaritans' Brew Monday is designed exactly for this - “put the kettle on” and turn small talk into real talk.
Copy you can lift (for 19th January):
“Blue Monday is a myth, but talking about it can help. Take five today for a cuppa with a colleague. If you need support, our employee assistance programme is confidential and free.”
Mid-January Manchester daylight hours are roughly eight hours (sunrise just after 08:00, sunset around 16:10). Make it easy for colleagues to get outside in the daylight for a break : move meetings away from the lunchtime block of 12:00 to 14:00, run walking one-to-ones and allow flexi-starts. It's a low-cost way to counteract the winter dip and aligns with NHS guidance on seasonal affective disorder, where outdoor light and routine help.
Try this for two weeks:
Financial worry is a big driver of Blue Monday and winter strain. Point people to MoneyHelper - the government-backed, free and impartial service - and run with an expert a 20-minute “where to get help” drop-in covering debt, benefits and budgeting. It's practical, non-stigmatising and costs little to the business.
Line to include in comms:
“For free, confidential money guidance, visit the government backed MoneyHelper. If you're worried about debt, you'll find trusted routes to local advice there.”
Hiring activity and new postings typically jump from December to January. In January 2025, REC tracked a 34% surge in new postings month-on-month, the first upswing at the time in seven months - exactly when “new year, new job” intent peaks. Use Blue Monday week to protect retention: refresh career plans, showcase internal vacancies and run “stay interviews” with at-risk groups.
Checklist for retention this month:
UK trials of shorter working hours report lower stress and burnout, better sleep and stronger retention, with little or no productivity loss when designed well. If a whole 4-day week is a stretch, test a 9-day fortnight for selected teams through February and measure the impact.
How to run a credible micro-pilot (4 weeks):
NICE and Acas both emphasise manager capability and early, practical adjustments. Give managers a 30-minute refresher on how to spot changes in behaviour, have a short supportive conversation and approve small temporary tweaks quickly.
Three managerial prompts for January:
Pick three metrics and stick to them until the end of February:
Teams post (morning of Monday 19th January):
“Blue Monday is a myth. We're using today to make January easier and to get talking: fewer morning meetings, time to get outside in the daylight and simple support if you're struggling. Money worries? Try MoneyHelper for free, impartial guidance. Need to talk? Our EAP is confidential and available 24/7.”
Manager one-to-one opener:
“On a scale of 1–10, how's your energy this week? What one change for the next fortnight would help - hours, location or workload?”
We can build copy into journeys: including onboarding messages that explain support in plain English and quick banners linking to EAP, MoneyHelper and Time to Talk Day to use on your internal careers site and Welcome Hub for new starters.