The execs at my company are giving me “weekend homework” and I’m getting sick of it.

Anonymous

May 27,2023 at 2:43PM UTC

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The execs at my company are giving me “weekend homework” and I’m getting sick of it.

Recently, three different execs have approached me on Friday afternoons with requests for project planning/research to be done over the weekend, with a report back on Monday.

I’m in mid-management. I don’t report directly to any of these execs. My direct boss does not work weekends, nor do they require me to do so.

None of the projects I’ve been given thus far are critical to operations, nor are they really within my scope or skill set. It’s nothing I’m unable to do, it’s just a stretch of my usual duties and areas of focus.

On the one hand, I guess I should feel honored that they recognize my abilities, insight, and ideas and are giving me an opportunity to show what I can contribute beyond my JD.

On the other hand, there’s been no explicit mention of opportunities to grow into a larger role or expand my scope and these projects really cut into my time with my husband and son on weekends because I’m either working or feeling anxious, exhausted, and irritated.

It doesn’t feel worth it, frankly - even if there was a big, meaty promotion being offered I’m not sure I’d want it if it meant being consumed by work 24/7.

How can I delicately and professionally decline to work on special projects on my weekends, while not risking the apparent favor of the execs?

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Rae WagonerMay 27,2023 at 3:08PM UTC
“That sounds like such an interesting subject. Why don’t you get with (your actual boss) and see if he/she is ok with adding it to my workload next week!”it is NOT a compliment or honor for people you don’t work for to be assigning you work over the weekend. I hope that your boss is LIVID that they presumed to do such, and not too mad at you that you’ve been performing tasks outside your scope of work outside of work hours. further, these people asking you - not your boss - for your time/effort on these projects smells funny to me. I presume you are salaried and there’s no timekeeping mechanism to raise your boss’ awareness of this situation?
AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 4:22PM UTC
This is exploitation.
AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 4:32PM UTC
Next time, tell them to go directly to your boss for his/her approval beforehand. If they are not your boss and it's not your skillset you have every right to say no. You should not be flattered; they are exploiting you.
AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 5:04PM UTC
Exploit is the PERFECT description!!!!
AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 5:04PM UTC
Have plans.
Plans that do NOT include exploitation.
If work is assigned at the last minute.....too bad for them.
Even if your plans are to clean house and go grocery shopping your time is YOUR time.
I learned the hard way that the more you give, the more they take. And I have a strong work ethic too.
AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 5:21PM UTC
Agreed! OP can't take that time back, either. Maybe this firm needs to hire some part-time or contract to do these projects.
AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 6:00PM UTC
Exactly!
Usually these types of organizations are too disorganized to effectively plan and/or "expect team players".
It's one thing to be a "team player" during the regular workday but after hours?
Vicious cycle of "we can't find anyone willing to work". -- Says disorganized firm
What a colossal joke.
AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 6:20PM UTC
When they hand you something, place on your desk and tell them you will look at it on Monday. That doesn’t mean you will do it on Monday or at all. On Monday you bring this to your boss’s attention and let them tell you how to proceed.
Looking for a changeMay 27,2023 at 6:50PM UTC
Are you working for free on the weekends? If so stop immediately. Next time they give you work i would say I’ll look at it Monday as another person suggested and then bring it to your boss and ask if you are supposed to prioritize their work
AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 8:19PM UTC
Ask them to run it by your boss to ensure it's something the must be done over the weekend for a pressing issue on Monday. Or, ask your boss if they know that these people are giving you weekend work that isn't necessary for any urgent matter on Monday. Or, ask each for their cell phone/home phone numbers so that you can call them over the weekend with questions - make sure you call ALL of them at least once a day over the weekend; just to mix it up a bit.
AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 12:10PM UTC
Just say no. Tell them you can work on it Monday if it’s a priority, but you plan to enjoy your weekend without any work commitments. You can’t be afraid to draw some professional boundaries.
John HerndonMay 28,2023 at 12:49PM UTC
Tell them you have plans this weekend, say I’ll get you that report on Tues, talk to your boss and let him elevate the situation.
stop working in the weekends. Once in awhile is normal.
AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 12:51PM UTC
If these execs don’t have a dotted line to you, I would pleasantly say to them. “Im sorry, your going to need to clear that request with my boss. She/He has to approve my workload before I start any new projects as I have a huge workload.”
The work they are giving you were likely assigned to them and they know you are a good worker with great results and won’t pushback.
Now is the time to politely push back.
Cindy AllenMay 28,2023 at 1:41PM UTC
Be mindful of the politics of the situation as well. Be they good or bad politics, they are always present. Get your boss involved immediately and define to him/her it’s really beginning to affect a healthy work-life balance and your normal workday work. You want to be seen as a team player and like a bit of challenge but this is clearly traveling to the unreasonable side. If you want to move up in the company - let them know that too and that you saw this as an option show your work ethic and desire to take on more challenges. Ask them to help you navigate the situation.
AnonymousMay 29,2023 at 3:45PM UTC
Your suggested response doesn't take into account that she doesn't work on weekends. So even if they cleared it with her manager, she would still not be fine with having to do reports over the weekend. Nor does it address the lack of additional pay and increased job title.
Sharon MMay 29,2023 at 6:27PM UTC
Your assuming once she speaks with her boss that weekend work would not be assessed and reviewed. I always tell my team to know when to escalate. Options will be discussed and reviewed in mgmt- let them figure it out. If she doesn’t like the results that weigh to her advantage, she can always move on.
AnonymousMay 29,2023 at 10:46PM UTC
I'm assuming based on the suggested response which did not take into account that weekend work would be addressed.
AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 1:53PM UTC
I don’t know the exact circumstances in your response, but this method of dealing with such a situation puts yours employee in a terrible spot. If they say yes to a project, they’ll continue to be taken advantage of. If they say no occasionally, it will seem like they’re not being a team player or make people ask why they only accept some of the work.
Such requests require the employee to take on extra work without compensation, either in terms of extra pay or potential promotion. Management needs to recognize and support the need for work-life balance. It would be far better for you to stand up for your employee and just say no. Don’t put them In the middle.
AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 3:48PM UTC
Agreed, especially now more so than ever, at a time when there are mass layoffs happening as this will make some employees do this out of fear.
Elspeth BloodgoodMay 28,2023 at 2:33PM UTC
You cannot be taken advantage of if you don't allow it. If the project looks interesting, provide a date by which it can be completed. If not, simply decline as you would not be able to meet their deadline. The dirty secret is leaders will always allow you to overwork. You must be the one to protect your time.
BethBMay 28,2023 at 2:43PM UTC
Oh, no, they aren’t recognising your talent. They are recognising a naive person who is anxious to prove herself. Odds are you aren’t even getting any kind of “credit” that would lead to a raise or promotion. You are being taken advantage of by people who expect you to to do what they don’t, work on the weekend.
Since they are asking, not telling, and the work isn’t urgent, simply smile and say Monday isn’t doable. Don’t elaborate or get into a convo about why. Suggest that they ask your manager about where this fits into your priorities for next week.
unless when you refer to a JD means you work in a law firm and then all bets are off
Vivian LeeMay 28,2023 at 6:11PM UTC
Does your boss and their boss know about these weekend projects? If not, start copying them in the email messages for their visibility on other execs’ demands of you. Then meet with them to discuss how to get these projects off your plate.
If they do know, speak with them about updating your job description and/or compensation. Ask for compensation (I.E. payment or days off in lieu of those worked on weekends). It looks like you are being asked to do a 2nd job yet only being paid for one.
Having “volunteered” at the office on weekends for years in previous jobs, while these extra projects support the company’s development, it is coming at the expense of your own personal & professional development.
AnonymousMay 29,2023 at 7:01PM UTC
Setting expectations, I would tell them that respectfully while you appreciate the faith they have in you to stretch your experience your weekend commitments are devoted to family. Let them know that if you are needed to do some work outside of the daily boundaries during the week you can do that. Be firm but not nasty about it. Smile when you tell them, and as much as possible do it in person. If you're truly driven to grow your career this may be a good way to let them know that you have interest and ask how this will be helping you as well. If its just a you need to do this kind of response then it may be that they have default chosen you for some other reason. Then you just have to decide how much managing up you want to do and if this is the right place for you long term if this is chronic.
Cheries SundriesMay 30,2023 at 12:35PM UTC
I'm sorry but that is outside my working time period and I have other commitments in life. Perhaps you should discuss this with my direct boss about putting it on the schedule for the work week so they could see if I have time for it along with my other work commitments.
KarenMay 30,2023 at 2:28PM UTC
I'd recommend first asking them for a later due date would work (such as Wednesday) and then, if it's still Monday, thank them for thinking of you but decline and say that you aren't able to work over the weekend. I wouldn't say anymore than that because if you give an excuse once, you'll have to give an excuse everytime. Your weekends are your own time and unless you volunteer them for a very special reason, you shouldn't regularly accept weekend work or it will become expected.
AnonymousMay 30,2023 at 2:36PM UTC
Have you spoken to your boss about this? If you don't report directly to these people, your boss should be made aware of these additional requests. Your boss should also advocate on your behalf (i.e., our team doesn't typically work weekends, so if this work is critical, we need to arrange comp accordingly, etc). My guess is that if there's a request for additional comp budget to fully pay your for your time, the requests will evaporate.
IntentionGirl299847May 30,2023 at 10:46PM UTC
Are you being paid time and a half or double time for your work on the weekends? If not, why are you doing their work for them. NO. Practice saying it as no means no. They are not favoring you, you are being taken advantage of.
Barb HansenMay 31,2023 at 2:00AM UTC
"Can you provide the due date for this project? I'm excited about providing my expertise to this project, but we are heading into the weekend, and my current project workload won't allow for any free for additional projects until next Tuesday afternoon."
"I'm excited to join this project. I've been asked to work on these emergency weekend projects in the past so my expertise is valued by you, but before I adjust my schedule to take on this additional work, I'd like to discuss how my compensation will be adjusted now to reflect my additional work hours and what promotion opportunities will be available to me in the future by accepting these additional projects"
Side note: There is nothing wrong with being asked to work on an emergency project that needs to be completed over a weekend, but there is a lot wrong with that extra work not being compensated. Not compensated in the future (sometime in the future, we'll give you a raise and a promotion - "no, you can pay me now for my work and give me a raise in the future"), but compensated in this pay period (we have a project that needs to be completed this weekend, if you can work to get this project done, then take a few days off next week.)
Julia KoncakMay 31,2023 at 3:15PM UTC
You are seeing a pattern of unacceptable behavior from the executives. Inform your boss and discuss strategy on how to change the dynamics of last minute weekend work projects. Be prepared for the backlash. Stay strong.
AnonymousMay 31,2023 at 6:37PM UTC
I feel your situation, I've been someone who gives up my time for free in the past. To get ahead, to get promoted, to get a bigger raise, etc. But I finally understood how much they were taking advantage. I had many conversations about workload, compensation, team expansion, etc. They never came through on any solutions, only to pressure people to take on more.
The last straw for me was when I really pushed hard in 2021 and we barely made a profit, so no raises or bonuses. Then in 2022 they spent well over 100k to take the entire office on an out-of-state team-building trip. Hmm, money for that but not to solve day to day problems. So they spent on what matters to them, not the collective.
It really depends on what matters to you. If you want to learn more or get ahead and you believe doing extra will achieve that, then go for it. Or figure out where you want to draw the line. But recognize the pattern and worth you are establishing, you must look out for yourself, they won't.