Asked to work some weekends for a few months and I don't want to do it

[Wishfulthinkingmaybe1]

I work as a contractor so am not a direct employee as such. It's always been week-day work. The company however has secured a contract now for 4-6 months that involves weekend work and has requested everybody to 'chip in'. I just don't want to do it. I've no children so no ties as such but I've hobbies and things I like to do at weekends and I don't need the extra money. There was no discussions about this beforehand, we were just told they'd been awarded the contract.

I know if everyone says no there would be no one to do it - and I don't know how everyone else feels as we all work from home - so I'm thinking of politely declining. Is this reasonable?

The shops aren't open long enough on a Sunday due to Sunday trading laws.

People who work in shops take the job on knowing they'll be expected to work when people who work more conventional hours want to shop.

The OP agreed to supply her labour to her client on the basis that it was weekdays only. They've now said they want to change this, but as a contractor she doesn't need to agree to it.

You are not an employee so they do not get to dictate what your hours are.