Companies Offer Employees Day Off on 'Blue Monday'

Critics Argue Concept Oversimplifies Mental Health Issues

Companies are increasingly offering employees the day off on 'Blue Monday', the third Monday of January, which is often dubbed the most depressing day of the year.
'Blue Monday' was a term first coined by psychologist Cliff Arnall in 2004 as part of a marketing campaign by holiday company Sky Travel to boost bookings.
Despite the original company going bust, the concept of 'Blue Monday' has entered into the cultural lexicon and is often used in advertising campaigns.
Some companies insist that the day off is spent on 'wellness activities' such as hiking or volunteering, while others allow employees to spend the day as they wish.
However, critics argue that the concept of 'Blue Monday' is a marketing gimmick and oversimplifies the complexities of mental health.