Can you do this over the weekend?

A sentence no freelancer wants to hear. However, it’s one that’s uttered more than our in-house counterparts realise. This is ironic — as often it’s them asking us self-employed professionals to quickly produce content on Saturdays. 

Whether your client is setting unfair Monday 9 am deadlines or outright asking for weekend work, it’s a sign you need to re-evaluate your relationship with them AND your ability to set professional boundaries. Sorry, it’s the truth!

I’ve had this request numerous times, and I’ll be honest: I’ve caved and worked on the weekend before. 

So, ladies and gentlemen, gather around. Today, we’re discussing how to deal with clients who ask for weekend work and how freelancers should respond.

Should Freelancers Work on the Weekends?

Yes and no. 

This debate would be easy if there was a simple answer. But, unfortunately, there isn’t.

Most freelancers would argue that no, they shouldn’t have to work on the weekends. And I completely agree with this. A client should never force you to work when you don’t want to.

As a self-employed person, you call the shots on how and when you work. It’s your business, after all. This means having the guts to say no to last-minute boundaries and weekend work — even if you might miss out on a fee. 

Reputable clients will understand. If they throw their toys out the pram, it’s a red flag and a sign you should note.  

The Argument for Working on the Weekend

Weekend workers, I hear you — and I’ve been there. 

Sometimes, I still work on the weekends. But the key is that I work on the weekend when it’s my choice, not when a client requests it.

I often travel during the week. Flights are cheaper, so why not? 

When I have a flight on a Tuesday, I’ll often work a few hours to free up my weekday schedule. This saves the stress of working in the airport. 

However, I don’t broadcast this to clients. 

Whenever I write on the weekends (or evenings, for that matter), I keep it quiet! 

So, if you prefer working on the weekends, whether for scheduling matters or simply because it works for you, go for it!

Just don’t allow a client to force you. 

Why Frequent Weekend Work Isn’t a Good Idea

You shouldn’t work on the weekends so often for two reasons

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1. It sets a precedent for clients to know that you’re available whenever they feel like it.

So long as they know you’ll do it, they’ll keep asking. That’s why you need to make it a scarce occasion. 

2. It can lead to freelance burnout.

If you work every day of the week, you have no time to relax and unwind. Of course, you can ignore this if you work on the weekends and take downtime during the week.

In a world where 54% of people work on vacation (yes, really), taking time off can feel radical. 

But time off is critical even though you don’t get paid!

How To Say I Don’t Work on the Weekends

Often, you won’t have to tell a client you don’t work on the weekends. For most people, this is assumed.

You’ll only need to bring it up and set the boundaries if someone asks you to work on the weekends or asks for your general availability.

In this case, you can say something like:

My working hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Yes, it’s that simple! If you’re like me, you might feel the need to apologize or do double the work in the next week but don’t. 

This can also show that you’re not firm in your boundaries, and a client might try to push them further. 

Again, any respectable and worthwhile client won’t question this. They’ll simply say OK.

Why Clients Who Ask for Weekend Work Are Red Flags

Clients who expect you to come running at the drop of a hat are more likely to cause you stress than clients who respect your professional boundaries. 

While you may balance weekend and evening work for a while, sooner or later, you’ll want to spend the time doing something else. 

If you have a client who barks at you for taking control of your time, you’re working more like an employee than a freelancer — and isn’t the reason most of us are in this job simply to free ourselves from this pattern?

Protecting Your Well-Being – The Takeaway

Hopefully, you’ve learned wow to say I don’t work on the weekends or simply what to do when a client proposes weekend work. 

Again, it’s important to stress that weekend work isn’t all bad. Rather, it’s the dynamic where a client expects you to work whenever they want!

So, take control of your time and set those boundaries.
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