A limit for monologging could work. As example, worklogs are due for the end of the month. Why not make it so monologs can only be allowed to count for worklogs after the 20th? This gives everyone 9+ days to monolog, if they haven't already worked with people.
Of course special circumstances can be made for those who are away due to illness or what not.. but 9 days is plenty of time, and that's coming from my experience. That means then that each character/players has the whole 20 days beforehand to find people to play with. People need shops. It shouldn't be that hard.
That's my thought for shop-jobs.
House jobs... I've always seen it as a responsibility of Nobles to give their workers things to do. It can be anything from orders to forcing group commodary or scouting an area. Monologs happen a lot for House jobs, but that's no one's fault. The same goes for temple-jobs for those who don't do sex, but instead tend to the grounds or pay with tribute. The inn is another factor, where an entertainer goes in and plays their own songs, no matter how much they may try to engage the IC audience.. or they feel awkward as if bombarding a scene, so they wait and monolog instead. All of these are situations where monologging tends to get a pass from me. I'll wait until the end of the month to do my House jobs if I have to monolog, because I spend my time asking people if they want to do worklogs with me.
I've found personally that Nobles who allow their workers to do things beyond the Noble house, are much easier to get logs done for and stir up more play. Examples would be a scribe taking paperwork to the inn, a worker picking up a delivery or making deliveries in town (despite no shops open, it's outsourcing!) Having bards and entertainers work not only at the House, but wander the streets singing of their House and representing them.
This is also one reason I was working on House Gladiator Sects, allowing for worklogs to be done in another area, and a setting which actively brings glory and honor to a House, as well as friendly competition between them.