Interview question: Can you work weekends? Saying "No" a deal-breaker? (employees, applying)

[leadingedge04]

Hello. I've always thought that it was a deal breaker and as much as I'd like the weekends off, I've always said "yes" when working the weekends because I wanted/needed the job. Is it usually a deal-breaker by saying "no"?
(I know it depends on the company but lets say entry level job).

[Andreams]

It depends what kind of work it is, no matter what the company.

If you want to work at any kind of business that is in fact open and in need of employees on the weekends, then yes, I believe it would be a deal breaker.

If you want to sometimes have a Saturday or Sunday off, I would say that you have certain commitments that sometimes take place on the weekends, but the majority of the time you are available.

I've overheard my bosses say "they can't work Sundays....no go", but I work at a store. So the weekends are our busiest time.

[dick1973]

Yes, It would be a deal breaker. They may not need you the weekend, but they need to know that you could work if needed.

It might be one of those test questions, could be nobody there works on the weekends.

[kodaka]

If they ask specifically, yes, it probably is.

If you're just filling out a standard application form that asks you to mark your availability for every day of the week I wouldn't be too worried, they are just asking so they know how you fit into their needs.

And if you don't want to work weekends, you shouldn't lie and say you are available. It will only lead to problems.

[FarNorthDallas]

Yes, deal breaker in the legal field.

[diorgirl]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

Yes, deal breaker in the legal field.

Also in retail -- and any field where shift work is done routinely to accommodate customers/clients/patients or to meet tight/rush deadlines, etc.

[hnsq]

I guarentee someone else who is applying for the job will say yes - they will always get the job over you.

An employer likes to know you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

[YaFace]

You gotta pay your dues when you first start out and work weekends. When you get higher up into the office and then management, enjoy your weekends off. I am firmly of the belief that everyone should have to do a year on swings, a year on nights, and a year or two of weekends just to see how it is before you get to get all the weekends and holidays off.

[Racelady88]

I depends on the type of work you are doing. I used to work for a road builder and they expected field employees to be able to work weekends but not the clerical team. They had the same application for everyone. Clerical team members filled out that they were available to work M-F 8-5.

[GypsySoul22]

Half the trouble with jobs today. They want you, be it an office worker, retail worker or 'whatever' to jump at all hours.

I never heard of shift work for office workers but lo and behold, I was exposed to it while interviewing last year.

I can't get a job with normal hours. What happened to the 8-4/or 8:30-4:30 jobs?

Some of us have LIVES/families.

Better to be single or an older person with kids who do not need looking after in this job market. Then you can toady and get any hours they need you to work.