Working weekends as a freelancer is one of the most divisive topics in the community.
One moment you are finishing your week, looking forward to peace and quiet, the next a client emails asking for something urgent. It seems people assume freelancers are always available, even outside normal hours.
But when should you actually work weekends and when should you log off?
As a freelancer, I’ve worked on more weekends than I’d like to admit. Most were at the start of my career, when I had poor boundaries with freelance weekend work.
Today, I only do weekend client work when I really need to, and when it also benefits me.
There will always be different opinions on this topic. Here’s everything I’ve learned so you can make up your mind.
We’ll explore the pros and cons of weekend work in this article, but we’ve also covered how to react when someone asks you to work on a weekend. Jump to this blog if you’re looking for a way to say no!
Why Weekend Work Happens and Why It Can Be Fine
Many freelancers choose to work weekends intentionally. Gasp! I know.
For some it is peace and focus without distractions, for others it is catching up on tasks that have unfortunately spilled over. It happens.
Some freelancers even find weekend hours align with their natural productivity patterns. After all, getting work done on the weekend might mean you can hit the empty Monday morning grocery store or bag a mid-week appointment without extra stress.
Weekend work can actually be enjoyable and productive if it is your choice.
Some weekend freelancers find Saturday mornings are their most productive time. You may even prefer weekends because fewer people are around to interrupt your flow.
But if you’re working on the weekend because you have no choice? That’s something to flag.
When Weekend Work Crosses the Line
Working weekends becomes a problem when it is no longer your choice.
In my experience, I’ve had bad clients messaging me on weekends and asking for work 12 hours before a deadline. I probably could have avoided them with the knowledge I know now.
Pro Tip: Unless stated in a contract, you do not need to be online 24/7 ‘in case’ a message from a client comes in. If they want a full-time employee, they should hire one.
Red flags include:
- Clients expecting immediate responses at any time
- Weekend work becoming habitual rather than intentional
- Feeling guilty for taking time off
Freelancers should remember that sustainable productivity depends on rest as much as effort.
Regularly working over 50 hours a week, including weekends, can increase stress and burnout risk. Which brings us to…
How Many Hours a Week Is It Unhealthy To Work?
Experts suggest working more than 50 to 55 hours a week consistently raises stress levels and impacts sleep. This all increases the risk of burnout.
Freelancers who add weekend client work without limits can hit this threshold quickly. Balanced hours matter as much as the work itself.
At one point, I actually ended up replying to emails in the middle of the night. I even ended up with insomnia. Not worth it for the extra few bucks I made in the end.
Why Do Clients Assume I’m Free on the Weekends?
Honestly, this was always the question that bugged me. I’m a professional freelancer, not an on-command robot.
Many clients forget freelancers have boundaries. They assume anyone labeled “professional” is always available, even outside normal hours and especially because they’re paying you!
This gets even messier with different time zones and urgent deadlines. Plus, the perception that freelancers can work anytime and anywhere all contribute to weekend expectations.
You can put this to rest with professional boundaries — e.g., ‘I am based in X timezone and my online hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.’ Simple.
If that scares them off? Well, you’ve dodged a bullet. And we’re all about avoiding bad clients at The Freelance Balance.
The Weekend Client Test: Who Is Asking You to Work?
As I touched on above, some clients come with red flags.
Beyond your spidey senses tingling, a weekend client is often someone who:
- Always marks their requests as urgent
- Sends emails late Friday or on the weekend
- Ignores prior boundaries
- Expects you to prioritize their work over others
And often — these guys pay lower rates! Which makes the cycle even worse.
Occasional weekend requests happen, but chronic pressure is a problem. Take note of patterns to understand who is reasonable and who is expecting constant availability.
Is It Illegal To Work on the Weekends?
Working weekends is completely legal. The issue is sustainability, not legality.
Even legal weekend work can drain your energy if you do it without choice. Freelancers should choose when and how to work weekends to protect their long-term wellbeing.
How to Say No Without Burning Bridges
Saying no to weekend work does not have to be confrontational.
It’s a normal part of any business relationship, and if you feel that saying no to working on a Saturday will start an argument, it might be time to look into building self confidence. Sorry to be blunt! But no respected professional commands freelancers like this.
I’ve explored how to say no to weekend work in this blog. But to give you a glimpse here, you can simply say:
- “I can take this on Monday. Will that work for you?”
- “I can handle it this weekend at my rush rate.”
Confidently setting boundaries signals professionalism. And really, it will boost the respect in your relationship.
Creating Your Weekend Work Rules
It sounds like overkill, but maybe giving yourself rules or work hours will help you manage these requests.
- No client communication after a set hour
- Only one weekend per month for client work
- Charging a premium for weekend projects
I try not to reply to client requests after 6:30 pm and won’t handle emails on the weekend (even if I do take a peek!).
Some of my contracts also have a rush fee work with deadlines under 72 hours — this is charged at 10% the standard fee.
What Is the Healthiest Work Week?
Most research suggests 35 to 45 focused hours is ideal. As always, take it with a pinch of salt because all people are different.
This can include weekend work if it is balanced with rest. A healthy work week emphasizes true disconnects instead of total hours logged.
Also, types of work can differ. A few hours of admin feel different from 3 hours of concentrated client work to me.
Do Successful People Work on the Weekends?
Let’s back track. How do you measure success?
Is it numbers on a balance sheet? Or having time to slow down and enjoy life?
Some ‘successful’ freelancers do, but many use weekends to plan or recharge rather than doing client work.
Don’t be a busy fool! Success is not about working nonstop.
What’s a Good Weekend Side Hustle?
This question came up a lot during my research for this piece, and it’s actually not a question established freelancers are asking.
So, have you landed on this page because you’re dipping your toes into freelancing or side hustles?
A good weekend side hustle fits your energy and schedule. Be it writing, editing, tutoring, or digital design.
They can help you earn extra income without overwhelming your life and let you work efficiently while still enjoying downtime.
But don’t get it twisted — freelancing can be stressful. It’s a real career and craft. Don’t think of it as something easy. That’s offensive to all freelancers who have dedicated their lives to it!
The Takeaway
Weekend work is fine when you choose it. It becomes a problem when clients assume you will always be available and when you seem to be working against your own will.
This is a sign to reflect on your habits: are you working weekends because you want to or because you feel obligated?
Take control of your time and make weekend work a conscious choice. Your productivity and well-being will thank you! I promise.
You’re not alone. Read more on The Freelance Balance blog.
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