Executive coach warns against Sunday work to avoid burnout

Shane Arthur, an executive coach who works with CEOs and other leaders, cautions that spending Sunday evenings on work preparation may seem helpful but can erode personal downtime. He tells his clients to shift that effort into the week, carving out at least an hour on Monday morning free of meetings to map out priorities. Arthur adds that a brief Friday afternoon session to assess the week’s outcomes and plan ahead can improve overall flow.

His guidance runs opposite to the “grindslop” trend and the 996 work schedule that encourages six-day, long-hour routines. Arthur points to a 2025 Microsoft report showing increased weekend email traffic as evidence that weekend work is becoming common, yet he argues it should be avoided. The piece concludes by inviting readers to share their views on Sunday work via a survey.