Regardless of job, weekend effect is 'key motivator'

Date: 12/01/2010

Whatever the job, people are in a better mood and have greater vitality as well as fewer aches and pains between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, it has been discovered.

The first study of daily mood variation in employed adults has been published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology by scientists at the University of Rochester, showing that incentives and recognition involving the weekend, such as Fridays off, could be the way forward for businesses.

The "weekend effect" is mainly attributed to freedoms people have to choose activities, as well as the chance to spend time with those they care about, meaning that working weekends may be a thing to possibly avoid in the workplace.

Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology at the institution, added: "Far from frivolous, the relatively unfettered time on weekends provides critical opportunities for bonding with others, exploring interests and relaxing - basic psychological needs that people should be careful not to crowd out with overwork."

The discovery follows research from PricewaterhouseCoopers which found that one in three employees in the UK does not feel valued by their employer despite working harder during the recession, meaning incentives and recognition may have to improve.

Posted by Michael Ewing

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