teams using Slack. The system divides workdays based on energy levels and is now starting conversations about healthier work culture online.
Anuva Kakkar explained how her team uses three work modes to show how much they can handle without having to explain everything. The idea shows why flexibility and mental well-being are important in today’s work environment.
What are the three Slack work modes?
Explaining the concept, Kakkar said, “So we are a remote team and we have this really cool thing which I took from my friend Saloni. We work on Slack. Basically, most of our communication is on Slack. We realised that we are not warriors, so we cannot be in a grind-hustle mode every single day.”
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She added, “So we have now three modes. First is Grind mode, where we are at our 120%. Then we have a Normal mode, where we're working, making sure that the To-Do for the day is done. And then we have a Survival mode. This is a mode which we use usually when we have like period cramps or just a bad day, break up, or something like that.”
How does the system work in daily routine?
Kakkar explained that employees can simply update their Slack status to reflect how they feel on a given day. “So we have 3 modes: survival, grind, and normal mode. And you can just update your Slack status with however you're feeling today. This just keeps everybody updated and changes the timelines a little bit if required. We do this basically so that we don't burn out by being in the grind mode every single day,” she said.
The system removes the need for repeated explanations and allows team members to adjust expectations accordingly, creating a more understanding and flexible workflow.
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Social media reactions to the idea
The concept received strong reactions online, with many users appreciating the focus on mental health. One user wrote, “This is actually such a healthy way to communicate capacity.” Another said, “Survival mode should be normalised in every workplace.”
A third user commented, “I love how this makes burnout prevention part of the workflow.” One more said, “Grind mode every day is exactly why people quit.” A user also reacted, “The breakup example was too real, but the system makes sense.”
The viral idea reflects a growing shift in workplace culture, especially in remote setups where communication gaps can lead to stress.
