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

Every. Single. Weekend
7 day a week job. Professional, but I work for myself

I very rarely do but did this weekend (one day only). I can't remember the last time before that though! I think it's healthy to get two days break.

Senior corporate role, generally don’t work out of hours anymore unless something urgent and may have a quick check of emails on my phone. I don’t do it now, partly as I’ve been in the game long enough to realise you get no thanks, I am quite strict with myself and focus on max productivity during working hours. I have also made sure my current role works mainly in the UK/Europe times zone which has made a big difference - previously worked with US/Asia which impacted my hours.

Another teacher here. I do at least a few hours' work pretty much every weekend, usually Sunday morning. I worked 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for about 2 weeks of the holidays this summer too.

Initially I did - for the first 2-3 years but I felt I was close to a burnout. Then moved to working later nights most nights (sometimes till midnight) to free up the weekends.

Yes, usually two to three hours. Used to be far more. Monday to Friday usually 8.30 to 7ish. Again, it used to be more.

Yes, I do not every weekend but a fair bit and especially in November and December which is the busiest at work

Yes unfortunately. Almost every weekend I have to do some work. Its not necessarily always a huge amount, often just checking some emails and diary planning.

Sometimes it can be almost a full day’s work but minus the calls.

When people say they value their downtime too much it always gives me a bitter laugh. I value my downtime as well but sadly my job would be at risk if I didn’t work at weekends because it’s physically impossible to get it all done during working hours. Most of us value our downtime but its not always as simple as that.

No never.

I work hard during my working hours. If that's not enough, it's not not a role I want.

I'm not here to compensate for any capacity issues my employer may have.

I'll do an extra hour before/after work during the week occasionally if needed but only if it's to my benefit.

Kudos that sounds extremely tiring but what am important job.

Similar feelings here unless absolutely necessary. Some of my colleagues feel it’s essential because they’ve got into the habit. I’d rather do some late evenings (if needed) and have that proper rest at the weekend. I’m a director in a very large accountancy firm.

I'm a solicitor, absolutely never.

I own a business, so yes, I keep an eye on everything, all the time. Evenings, weekends, holidays. Nowadays I don’t have to actually do much out of hours, unless there is a massive disaster (which does happen!) but I do need to know what’s going on.
That said, before my current role, I was a Director at a massive corporate. By god, I watched everything, all the time. It was cut throat! What I do now is so much better.

Yes

Never, couldn’t tell you the last time I did!

No never.

I work for a very good company who are strict about work life balance. I had a colleague who sent a mass email out on a Sunday once they were given a lecture on Monday morning by the md saying they should waited as we don't want people expected to look at emails out of hours.

I really get fustrated when people work out of hours because it's puts pressure on others to do the same. It's race to the bottom, I don't want to be like America

Almost never. There are some exceptional circumstances that might mean I would but I would take the time back when possible.
Sometimes I work a little later in the evening but again, not routinely. I don’t formally record it but I also don’t make up time if I have the odd longer lunch or leave a bit early. Any significant hours I’d email my manager and take it back. I have to do a meeting on annual leave this week but that’s my own fault so I’ll do the hour and then log off.

No not without being paid…every half hour outside of my set hours is paid as 1.5x or 2x pay per hour.

I used to regularly do it and I probably should but it's so very unappealing!

I work most of the day for one of the days at the weekend. And I'll sometimes have to work Sunday evening as well.

Par for the course unfortunately.

Education is a clear theme here I think (I am in that sector too).

Teacher - I work every evening and weekend

Always. I used to work in the charity sector and was responsible for our US office. I'd commute to London, work a full UK day, go home again and then log on again for the bulk of the US office hours. I'd try and get ahead of the work by working Sundays until 8 pm-ish at home

Then in my most recent former job I becae an insomniac through sheer stress and would get up and work from 3 am-ish most mornings. Again I'd go physically into the office on Saturday mornings while DH took the Dcs swimming and did the food shop to try and catch up.

I've nevr earned more than £36 k either. What a mug I was.

All of this. It’s not unusual for me to be at my laptop at 6 / 7 am to get stuff done but weekends - no

When I was a teacher I always did but now (still work in education but different role) I don’t need to (unless I fancy getting ahead on emails or reports)
was worth leaving the classroom for me!