Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Do/would you work EVERY weekend?

27 replies

Bookaholic73 · 01/03/2022 16:02

I’m considering taking a new job, and it involves working every weekend.
The shifts are 7-6 on Saturdays and Sundays, so not like half days where I get some weekend to do something.

My younger son is just about to do A levels, so not young. My husband works every other weekend.

But I’m thinking about the social side of life that it would affect. We currently meet up with friends and family at the weekend, as they all work Mon-Fri.

I would get Tuesdays and Wednesdays off instead.

Would you work every weekend? Or if you already do, how does it affect your life (both positive and negative)?

OP posts:
ISayItLikeItIs · 01/03/2022 16:06

For me personally if my kids were at A-levels I wouldn't mind working weekends. I would make it work and try to be more 'social' on the days im off

DPotter · 01/03/2022 16:10

No - and I work a lot of weekends, probably about 30% of all weekends, although I can choose if I do work, so I can still keep up with family & friends as long as I have a bit of notice.

You would only be getting 4 weekends a year off - think of it that way

Starlightstarbright1 · 01/03/2022 16:13

I work.one day every weekend which still gives me time at home with my son but gives me a day off in the week.. not sure i would like both days depends on your social life.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 01/03/2022 16:14

No.

I used to when I worked in events and hospitality. Often 10am-10pm shifts and I hated it.

Missed every birthday night out, every wedding, family meal etc.
I stopped when I had my son about 5 years ago and I cannot tell you how much I value my weekends now

WhatNoRaisins · 01/03/2022 16:14

What are the logistics of evening/after work meet ups?

ChrissyPlummer · 01/03/2022 16:15

I’ve often wondered this, I currently work EOW. I did actually think about proposing to my boss that I do permanent Thursday-Monday as DH is retired and certain things (hair, nails) are sometimes easier to book mid-week.

The only thing that stops me is that there are still things that only/mostly happen on weekends (football, my martial arts graduations). I think you’d soon get fed up of missing out on time with others. I imagine it might also be quite difficult to switch back, as others will have been recruited working no/fewer weekends from the off.

Original poster
Bookaholic73 · 01/03/2022 16:18

@WhatNoRaisins

What are the logistics of evening/after work meet ups?
Most friends live at least an hours drive away, so not very easy to meet up mid week after they finish work.
OP posts:
WhatNoRaisins · 01/03/2022 16:21

I wouldn't then. I've had close friends in jobs who work most weekends and have found it very isolating and difficult when you've only got a handful off and have to split them between your family, your kids, in laws and various friends. It's a different matter if your companions are local and you can just go for say a quick drink in the evening.

ginsparkles · 01/03/2022 16:23

I work one day every weekend and both of them maybe once a month.

My Dd is younger and DH works during the week so when I work all weekend I don't see them at all.

However if she was older and I had other time with them as a family it wouldn't bother me at all. I quite enjoy working on a weekend.

Original poster
Bookaholic73 · 01/03/2022 16:35

Thank you for your feedback everybody.

I was thinking the same as lost of you, how difficult it’d be to catch up with F&F, plus missing out on pretty much every social event.

OP posts:
Cotswoldmama · 01/03/2022 16:41

I work one Sunday a month and most Saturdays but only usually 6am- 10 or 11am. And I have a weekend off roughly every 5 weeks. There's no way I'd work both days all day every weekend.

Ilikewinter · 01/03/2022 16:44

No way, i used to work 3 / 4 weekends, then i dropped to 2 / 4 weekends, that was okay but hated 3/4, i cant imagine doing every weekend, you'd miss out so much I think

HunterHearstHelmsley · 01/03/2022 16:47

I used to and hated it. Its pwrsonal preference though. I did it in retail and parents were given weekends off while the childfree worked. That didn't work for me so I got a Monday - Friday job.

ohbumcakes · 01/03/2022 16:47

I worked every Saturday for years and had a Thursday off instead

I like it tbh, if I went into the city centre it wasn't so mobbed and on nice days that could be particularly pleasant

I'm not sure how I'd feel about working Sunday's but Saturdays are fine!

My partner has started working Saturdays a few months ago and having a Wednesday off, for childcare reasons and he really likes it

I know loads of people at work my work who hate it though

HunterHearstHelmsley · 01/03/2022 16:48

@WhatNoRaisins

I wouldn't then. I've had close friends in jobs who work most weekends and have found it very isolating and difficult when you've only got a handful off and have to split them between your family, your kids, in laws and various friends. It's a different matter if your companions are local and you can just go for say a quick drink in the evening.
I've got a friend who works every Saturday and every other Sunday. She hardly sees any friends now as we mostly work in the week.
Ragwort · 01/03/2022 16:51

It's quite a useful way of getting out of certain invitations Grin.

MrsElf · 01/03/2022 16:51

I’ve done every weekend bar about 8 in the last 3 years - it’s isolating, for sure. Depends on the length of shift a little, sometimes you can get away with joining family for a late dinner, or catching the reception of a wedding… I quite like it, but then my jobs are quite social, so it could be a lot worse! Luckily DH also works most weekends, so no resentment from him - don’t underestimate how your family can be utterly incapable of understanding you can’t just join them for [x] very special occasion, when it suits everyone else!

DenholmElliot · 01/03/2022 16:53

As with everything, it would depend on how much I was paid. And for me, it would mean that i'd want twice as much money as a week-day. Ultimately, I could always make more money - will never get the time back though.

M0rT · 01/03/2022 16:57

I used to work every second weekend with replacement weekdays off and that worked well.
I wouldn't do every weekend though, as well as feeling like your missing out, people get used to you not being around and stop inviting you.
Could it be switched to every second weekend?

Crimeismymiddlename · 01/03/2022 16:59

I work every single Saturday, it’s fine as I don’t have a partner or children. If I did I would do every second Saturday.

alwayswrighty · 01/03/2022 17:00

No I wouldn't work weekends. I have done 24 years of eow at least and I never felt rested. Now I work Mon-Fr only.

peboh · 01/03/2022 17:00

No. I used to work every weekend, and it just makes having a social life so hard, which had a massive knock on my health health. I wasn't seeing my friends, or family. Barely spent any time with dh as he worked during the week and on my days off.
If it was a needs just due to financials then I'd take the job, but continue searching for something with better hours for me personally.

RollaCola84 · 01/03/2022 17:01

My partner works every Saturday and occasional Sundays and it's a PITA. It's hard to go out on a Friday as the next day is a working day for him, and as he doesn't work fixed hours even organising social stuff on a Saturday night is difficult as we won't always know when he finishes.

If I had a choice I wouldn't do it unless it was exceptionally well paid.

TonkaTruckduck · 01/03/2022 17:04

As well as big events like weddings you'd also miss little joys, like watching the rugby, doing a park run, going to a farmers market....or whatever floats your boat.
I'd also not want a teen to be without parental support every other weekend, they still need us for chats / lifts etc.
Firm no from me.

daisyjgrey · 01/03/2022 17:09

Absolutely not, unless I was really desperate.

Swipe left for the next trending thread