It must be just before a holiday weekend because here comes another big project and another “Are you able to work this weekend?” request. It came in yesterday morning as I was firing up the computer to get going on the first big job.
A request like that wouldn’t be a problem if I A) didn’t have plans to spend part of the weekend finishing up projects I’ve had to put off to get these done, B) didn’t have plans to actually have a weekend (I admit it, and I won’t apologize for admitting it, dammit), C) didn’t already turn down one identical request that came in first, and D) didn’t work so hard during the week to make deadlines happen for people that I’ve worn myself out.
Mind you, I charge a lot more for weekend work if it’s a true emergency. If it’s holiday weekend work – double or more my rate, if I’m able or willing. I’m taking my free time to help a client with an emergency and that does require emergency rates. I’m still baffled that there are such things as writing emergencies. Did someone trip over a dangling modifier and sprain a verb? Is someone in a comma? It’s a mystery…
But boundaries – yes, we need to enforce our professional boundaries sometimes. Had I accepted both “Are you able to work this weekend?” requests, I’d have been way overworked, way underpaid, and way resentful. Look, I’m a redhead. Rumor has it we have a low threshold for patience as it is (which isn’t entirely true – I simply have a low tolerance of stupidity and unfairness). I’m not going to enjoy working a weekend, nor will I be eager to work again with someone who expects that of me. These clients were kind – they asked. They didn’t demand. But I’ve had some that have demanded. I’ve resisted the “Kiss my Irish …” and just wished them well as I deleted their contact information.
What are your limits? Do you know them? Do you enforce them? Do you ever bend them?
I do have limits. I, too, like a (somewhat) work-free weekend, and won’t book any deadlines which will mean eating up my weekend. I also like to keep business hours. That is, no phone calls before 9 am or after 6 pm. I try not to reply to emails outside of these hours either, as I’d like to get the message across that I’m just not available outside of my business hours.
I have bended once or twice, as they were also “writing emergencies”, and I did charge a higher hourly rate.
It varies from client to client and the type of writing.
Business writing contact is done within normal business hours.
However, script work, fiction, and articles are done as needed — they are arenas that are not 9-5, and if I’m hired to write an article about an event on a weekend, sure I’ll do it, provided it’s a legitimate price and not someone offering ten bucks for a 1200 word article.
Script work often is done with weekend turnaround time. It’s the nature of the business, and the price is reflected in that.
I’m much stricter with clients within the corporate realm than outside of it, because most of their “emergencies” are caused by internal incompetence and are not genuine emergencies. Also, the only way they understand the value of the work they want is by the dollar figure attached.
I have floating days off, so I’m not bound by a Mon.-Fri. workweek. The entire reason I freelance is so that I’m not boxed in by so-called “normal” schedules.