If you have a professional job, do you work at the weekend?

[JNicholson]

I’m in a professional sector where I suspect it’s pretty much the norm to do some work at the weekend, even though it’s not officially required. But I don’t want to, and I also just don’t feel I have the stamina to - I need the rest of a full weekend. Just wondering how this compares with professional roles more broadly, and what the norm is. Do you do some work at the weekend, or take the full weekend off?

YABU - I regularly do some work at the weekend
YANBU - I take the full weekend off

I never work at the weekend. I'd rather work late every weekday than encroach on my weekend.

ETA: I'm a solicitor.

Sometimes - maybe 1 weekend a month on average. But I do work evenings and my non working day quite a lot.

I rarely work substantially at the weekend, though I answer emails throughout if they’re urgent. I’m Board-level and usually do about late weeknight a fortnight - either at an event or sometimes at my desk until c11pm, to stay on top of stuff or prepare for a big meeting.

Sadly I start work very early, leave between five and six and work at the weekend. It’s wrong but I can’t keep up in work hours.

Literally never. And I’m as senior as it’s possible to be in my field. It’s not something I’m willing to do and it’s never been expected of me. I certainly never expect it of anyone who works for me.

Yes, I always work at the weekend, approx 6-8 hours. I work in the evenings too.

Nope, I’m in a senior finance role and to be honest when I was younger I did but I’ve learnt you get no thanks for it. It’s work at the end of the day and I’m not going to let it impinge on my weekends, there’s enough other stuff going at the weekend that I actually want to do.

Im working right now sadly. Have done a good few hours already and have more to do.

No, I have found over the years I am much better during the week if I am strict about having 2 full days off. I work until 10pm sometimes during the week and I'm happy to do that to keep the weekend free.

In finance 😊

Senior manager in finance and no, never at weekends. Evenings, occasionally. The odd late night, maybe, but only two or three times a year at most.

Taught for 31 years. Worked virtually every weekend. Decided to leave early this summer. Got fed up of long hours- couldn't take it anymore

Yes - evenings and weekends (teacher).

I should absolutely do work at weekends as I'm always a bit behind but I value my work life balance too much.. My job is quite stressful and I suspect if I didn't take my downtime I'd end up burnt out and off sick. 🤷‍♀️

It depends. If I have a client deadline that requires a weekend, I will do it. If I have a tight Friday deadline, I may move it to be a 9am Monday deadline to give myself some more time. But, I WFH, don’t have young children, and will always take time off during the week to make up for it.

Asdociate director level engineer. Only work at weekends when some sort of hit some (potentially not metaphorical) fan, or when travelling for work.

Used to work late (and nights) a lot more than I do now I've a toddler. Now, since I'm either at work, or with her, weekend and evening work isn't an option.

Getting my workload to fit the hours I can do is a constant struggle. Switching to working part time has helped hammer the point home, but I definitely still work more hours than I an paid for.

Never. I'm in the US and if my employer found out I was working outside my contracted hours it would be a disciplinary issue.

Yes, most weekends unless I have specific plans and most evenings. But I often don't work mornings and I take random half days off when I feel like it.
Have done about 12 hours this weekend and will do a few more before bed.

ETA - I'm a barrister and self employed so I charge by the hour, so comfort myself that I'm not actually working "extra" hours

What sort of work? That sounds exhausting

Never to be honest and I’d look to change jobs if it was expected of me.

DH is senior in finance and never works on a weekend. Earns three times my salary.

I've worked a lot of late nights and weekends over the last few years...and discovered it just isn't worth it. I'm worn out during the week. I'm now trying to be more rigid about doing prep for Monday on a Friday, so the week starts well without weekend work.

Yes, I’m a teacher. I always do a few hours over the weekend.

I really really try very hard not to. We have a 2 week busy season twice a year where we have to do a tiny bit but I'm absolutely crystal clear with my team that they must take toil for it afterwards.

I genuinely believe im more productive when I'm not tired & I've had a break

Headteacher

I work late in the week to meet target if I need to, only work weekends if I have some kid free time (rarely!)

DH and I both do. Him, engineer; me, education.

When we had small children it was (very)late evenings, now we spread it out a bit more.