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Original poster

Turning down a job as I would be working weekends?

151 replies

bridgeovercrap · 07/02/2021 12:56

It means I would be working 6 out of 10 Saturdays and 2 sundays in 10 weeks.
I've never ever worked weekends and tbh the thought of no social life makes me miserable.
The only good thing about it is I would be around £650 better off a month.
Is it worth it for lack of social life?
I honestly don't know what to do.
What would you do ?

OP posts:
Whatisapension · 07/02/2021 15:54

I would, I work 9-5 M-F and I hate it tbh. I miss having time off in the week, I always felt more rested even if I had things to do. I don’t like running errands at the weekend when everyone else is running theirs, it’s always so rushed and busy.

Trying to go anywhere after work in the week is shit because most people are on the road trying to get home, so it’s busy.

I end up using loads of AL for those things that need to be done on a weekday. Or having to take flexi just to make long calls to places that are shut outside of those hours. It’s so much better being able to save your AL for something you actually want to do or to have actual time off.

Gingernaut · 07/02/2021 15:54

Take the job for time.

Decide on a savings total/goal.

Put some of that £650 towards the goal.

When you meet it or exceed it, find another job.

When you're in such a role, it helps to tell yourself that it's not forever.

LittleGwyneth · 07/02/2021 15:55

I wouldn't do it.

KevinSausage · 07/02/2021 15:58

It depends on how important a social life is for you? My other half has just changed jobs as I work Monday-Friday and him working weekends (was originally 1 in 4 but then moved to 1 in 3) meant that we basically couldn't do anything together without it being a massive hassle

RowanAlong · 07/02/2021 15:58

650 is quite a lot... do you have kids? If you’re missing out on family time it might not be worth it, but if not, then I’d definitely do it!

KevinSausage · 07/02/2021 15:59

But then I am by far the bigger earner so it made sense for us

UntamedWisteria · 07/02/2021 16:02

It can be really nice having time off during the week.

For example, you can go to the gym when it's not busy, etc.

or if you need to make a dentists or hairdresser appointment. Or have to wait in for a workman or delivery it's much easier.

Plus it's not every weekend so your social life won't take that much of a hit.

MissConductUS · 07/02/2021 16:02

Take it. It's not a lifetime commitment. The extra money in the bank is real security if you have some type of emergency or job loss. If you hate it after a month or two you can always quit.

Pepperxo · 07/02/2021 16:13

I've always worked some weekends you get enhanced pay it's generally more quiet and you can go the doctors dentists etc go shopping in the week it's never bothered me I just have to plan social life a bit more.

PokemonTrainerRed · 07/02/2021 16:16

My adult son does some weekends. It's not every week and he likes being off when most other people aren't. For £650 I'd definitely do it.

SpiceRat · 07/02/2021 16:18

Even if you work the latest shift on a Saturday and you’re working from home you could still go out! Shower and sort your hair before your shift, quick slap make up and your clothes on and you could be out with a drink in your hand by 10pm depending on where you live.

I used to work a lot of weekends when I was younger. I didn’t mind it back then, I couldn’t do it now.

Worried830410 · 07/02/2021 16:38

Do it while there is not much of an option to socialize anyway. And then save as much as you can each month. You won't regret that later on.

newyearnewname123 · 07/02/2021 16:57

With no kids it would be quite tempting. When mine were still school-age I turned down a job that required saturdays because weekends were family times.

louderthan · 07/02/2021 18:57

I worked shifts for years, now I have a Monday-Friday 9-5 job and I find it more of a slog tbh. I used to love having days off in the week, catching up on stuff and taking myself for little days out when things were less busy.

Do it! If you hate it six months down the line you can look for another job.

Branleuse · 07/02/2021 19:23

working weekends wouldnt bother me, and seems like you do get some weekends off. WOuld you get other days off in the week instead?
For that amount of extra money I think it would be mad to turn it down

VerbenaGirl · 07/02/2021 19:29

Assume that there would be days off during the week to compensate. Those are a bonus too. My DH has always worked every other weekend, and I work about one in four - occasionally a arse, but we just really make the most of off weekends and really make the most of time off during the week for appointments and days out.

CakeRequired · 07/02/2021 19:29

Glad that you are taking it because this:

No I don't go out every weekend but I do like the option.

Just sounded stupid to be honest. You'd like the option to go out? Well one, you can't at the moment anyway, two, even when you can, will you have the money to afford it? You said you've only got £100 left over after bills. Wouldn't £650 be more appealing? Plus while not able to go out, you can save a lot more.

You'd be mad not to take it. After all as others say, you aren't signing your life over to them. You can leave eventually.

Annabell80 · 12/02/2021 12:12

@Pepperxo

I've always worked some weekends you get enhanced pay it's generally more quiet and you can go the doctors dentists etc go shopping in the week it's never bothered me I just have to plan social life a bit more.
Enhanced pay for working weekends? Maybe at one time, everyone I know who works weekends (including me) don't get enhanced pay. We don't get it for BH either.
blackheartsgirl · 12/02/2021 12:43

I did weekend work for years. I had to work every sat and Sunday with just 2 days off in the week and I did it for years.

It was shit and got me down in the end. I missed out on a lot of family time and after 10 years jacked it in and now do jobs where I am off and can spend it with the dc and dp

I wouldn't gave minded working 2 weekends a month but it was every weekend

blackheartsgirl · 12/02/2021 12:46

Enhanced pay for working weekends? Maybe at one time, everyone I know who works weekends (including me) don't get enhanced pay. We don't get it for BH either.

It depends on the company.
Retail and hospitality enhanced pay hit and miss.

The manufacturing job I had was enhanced pay and time and a half for Sundays and Bank Holidays. They still do it now, it is good money

Merrz · 12/02/2021 12:49

Why don't you give it a go? Even if you stick it for a year or set yourself a saving's target, once you get to the target you can jack it in if you aren't enjoying it

Glitteryone · 12/02/2021 12:49

God no I’d love to work weekends and have time off during the week.

Realistically how much socialising do you do?

babba2014 · 12/02/2021 12:52

I prefer DH working weekends. It means we avoid the crowds and my kids are home educated anyway. Much better in my opinion.

2ndtimemum2 · 12/02/2021 13:03

Op I'm a shift worker so I work every second weekend and at first I hated it but you honestly get used to it and it makes you plan better. it is also the reason I comfortably got a mortgage on my own due to the extra income. I have time off during the week which I enjoy because it means I can spend it with my kids and when my eldest was small I could pick him up from school.

With regards your social life you could afford to have a better social life with the extra 650 if that's how you chose to spend it but currently can you afford to go out every weekend on your present salary? (Obviously covid means no one is going out!)

Why not give it a go? Worst case scenario you hate it and you can look for another job thats better suited

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 12/02/2021 13:22

@bridgeovercrap

I will be working from home too after the 3 weeks training. Apparently WFH for the foreseeable
I can't believe you even had to think about it!

What will you be doing?

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