Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner and most of us are eagerly anticipating the fun get-togethers that come along with it. However, many employees in the workforce try to ignore the Monday morning that follows the celebration. The reality of heading to work on what has been dubbed “Super Monday” has become so unbearable, 17 million Americans were expected to call in sick in 2019. It was even estimated that $4 billion would be lost in productivity. Employers Council recommends making a few simple changes in your celebration to guarantee you can enjoy the game and still make it to work the next day.

Prep Ahead for Super Bowl

Karen Stafford is the Arizona president of the Employer’s Council.

Not only does calling-in sick the day after Super Bowl leave you with one less vacation or sick day, but it doesn’t make you look great in the eyes of your employer and it leaves your coworkers having to cover in your absence. We recommend employees get as much done as possible ahead of time if they anticipate their next working day could be off to a slow start. The Friday before the game, make it a priority to complete as many tasks as possible to leave yourself with wiggle room on Monday.

Another strategy is to knock out your more difficult tasks on Friday and leave yourself with an easier workload on Monday. Have you been meaning to organize your files or clean up your workplace? Save these projects for Monday. That way, you’ll still be productive while allowing yourself more time to wake up and get your brain up to speed.

Make Small Changes

You don’t have to skip out on the Super Bowl to ensure smooth sailing on Monday. Make a few small modifications to your celebration. Instead of heading out on the town, consider having a get-together at home with friends and family. You’ll be able to hold yourself more accountable and won’t have to worry about the temptation of bar-hopping post-game. If you think the house party could still get out of hand, try switching to water or soda at half-time. For those going out for the game, start the party early. You’ll be able to fit in all the fun and be ready to call it a night once the game ends.

Have a Back-Up Plan

Still don’t think you will be able to handle the Monday rush? Have a game plan in place. At Employers Council, we always recommend chatting with your employer ahead of time. Depending on how flexible your workplace is, you may be able to work from home. If not, consider working a half-day. Ask your employer if you can take the morning off and come into work for the afternoon to avoid missing out on an entire day.

As the big game quickly approaches, remember to be smart about your decisions and think about how they might affect your performance in the workplace. Consider implementing a few of these tips and you’ll be on your way to an enjoyable Super Bowl Sunday and a great start to the work week. 

 

Karen Stafford is the Arizona president of the Employers Council. A graduate of the University of Hawaii, Stafford holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and currently serves on the faculty of the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Stafford has more than 25 years of human resources experience and has served in senior management and HR consulting positions in a variety of business settings. She has counseled, educated, and trained hundreds of Employers Council members and other HR professionals on the topics of supervision, leadership development, collaboration and teambuilding, human resources strategy, social media, performance management, and employment law.