Workplace requires mandatory Saturday shifts for employees who already work 45-50 hours from 1AM to 10AM: 'I essentially get no time to myself'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Apr 25, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

Keeping a regular work schedule is key to developing a sustainable routine. Unless you're a person who thrives on irregularity, odds are you'd like to know what your week is going to look like before you're in it. Otherwise, it's nearly impossible to plan hangouts with friends, time to do chores, and schedule necessary appointments. But what's even worse than an irregular schedule is one that's filled to the brim against your will. When you signed your employment contract, you probably had some idea of what it would require from you. 

You weighed the responsibilities of the job against the responsibilities of your life and you decided that it was workable. Your employers have to expect that if they change the terms of your employment it might make you reevaluate whether or not you want to work there. If the job doubles in responsibility overnight, that might be a huge issue for your lifestyle. 

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  • 01

    Working a Mandatory Saturday.

    I work in a food production job, we already work 45 to 50 hour weeks normally for most of us. One of the reasons I took to 1am start shift was I get to go home at the same time everyday.
    via u/C19shadow
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10497723136
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • That's what happened to one worker who was surprised by an extra mandatory shift. Not only was it on top of an already full workweek, it left him with virtually no weekend and no time to himself. So he took to the internet for some solace. Read on for the details. 

  • 03
    I come in 1am and work until 10 am most days if not to 11am to help out. And the perk was I get to go home by 11am no matter what, the afternoon guys get a better starting time but stay until production is over. This deal is great until now.
    via u/C19shadow
  • 04
    They are starting to have us do mandatory Saturdays here and there. Rest of the world's talking about 32 hour work weeks in the office and sh and my works like "how about a 6 day work week instead"
    via u/C19shadow
  • 05
    So now I get only Sunday off but I gotta somehow be in bed by 4pm to make sure I get up at midnight for my Monday shift... I essentially get no time to myself on these weeks I'm gonna lose my mind.
    via u/C19shadow
  • 06
    And we've had Saturday runs before but it use to always be voluntary apparently my generation doesn't volunteer enough so it's mandatory for everyone now Imao The worse part is I feel horrible for anyone with kids at least I can go home and veg, I'm wishing all yall parents out there the best.
    via u/C19shadow
  • 07

    Workers chimed in on whether or not they thought this was sustainable.

    BassoTi • 5h ago I would absolutely look for a different job. I can't imagine functioning as a normal human being with your schedule.
    via u/BassoTi
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10497723392
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.
     

  • 09
    overeagle729 • 4h ago Bruh, that schedule is straight-up brutal. mandatory Saturdays when the world's talking about cutting work hours? your work-life balance is basically non-existent. definitely time to start job hunting. no job is worth grinding yourself into the ground like this.
    via u/overeagle729
  • 10
    C19shadow OP. 2h ago Its not every week, but i have a bad feeling it's gonna be every other week, once a pay period for us.
    via u/C19shadow
  • 11
    GourdGuarder • 5h ago Time to unionize.
    via u/GourdGuarder
  • 12
    bobisgod42 1h ago ⋅ I work in a similar situation but we are in a union. We get mandatory Saturdays as well but we also get notified and have sign ups for volunteers before we get mandated by seniority. It varies on how frequently it happens and usually we can tell based on production. If we had delays for whatever reason and couldn't produce because we didn't have ingredients for example we all know there's a good chance we are working an extra shift.
    via u/bobisgod42
  • 13
    It's just part of the industry. I don't mind the overtime on occasion and you can always put in for time off to make sure you don't get mandated for certain weekends if you have plans. Makes it much easier to deal with when you know you can get the weekend off for your kids birthday or whatever.
    via u/bobisgod42
  • 14
    megaladonquixote • 3h ago Just a thought, but what if Saturday production suddenly started having the worst production rates, the most product failure rates, and the most equipment breakdowns because everyone is tired and not operating at capacity?
    via u/megaladonquixote
  • 15
    Now, I would never, in any way suggest intentionally sabotaging work equipment or production stats, but, again, just thinking, how long would mandatory Saturday shifts keep happening if, statistically, it cost more and produced less Just a random thought, certainly not a call to action
    via u/megaladonquixote
  • 16
    CrackaAssCracka • 4h ago Every time I see "mandatory" I feel the need to remind people that slavery has been outlawed for some time now.
    via u/CrackaA**Cracka
  • 17
    Superspudmonkey • 4h ago I'd be asking for a change in remuneration if they want you to work another day, otherwise I'd decline.
    via u/Superspudmonkey
  • 18
    Accomplished-Fo... . 3h ago Yeah... I like the Overtime, but mandatory and overtime don't work together. It's like a double negative, they cancel each other out. Makes the whole statement null nonsense It's at least overtime pay right? Right?
    via u/Accomplished-Fox-486
  • 19
    I would absolutely have obligations that I cannot change if they mandated overtime at me. Find religion or something. Bosses n³d to understand that they do not actually own the workforce. They're just renting it, and sometimes the person in charge of your time gets to be you
    via u/Accomplished-Fox-486
  • 20
    C19shadow OP. 2h ago Oh yeah it's overtime they aren't shy about that's at least our $30/hr production job is 45/hr on Saturdays but I'd still rather have the days off.
    via u/C19shadow
  • 21
    CatchMelfYouCan... . 2h ago That violates multiple labor laws. For starters you can't work that many hours in a row. I really hope you get overtime tho. Also you need to meet the guidelines that you get hours in between shifts; it's Isiah 8-10. Call the DOL
    via u/CatchMelfYouCan09
  • 22
    Benslimane 2h ago . Not from the US but same industry same mandatory saturdays, but in my case, we earn 2 days of PTO for every saturday worked, which is a huge benefit, and we're all happy to work saturdays. If you are not well compensated for the inconvenience, you should start looking for something else.
    via u/Benslimane
  • 23
    Th4t0n3dud3 • 2h ago It's probably to late but you should of stuck by your set schedule. Told them that because you have a consistent schedule you plan your life around it and are unable to work any additional days due to prior engagements.
    via u/Th4t0n3dud3
  • 24
    PlaugeSimic 1h ago • Every post. Every single one. Get a better job, get a better job, just look for another job. Like stfu if that's all you have to say. I've worked over 20 different jobs and guess what management and corpos are all the same anywhere you go
    via u/PlaugeSimic
  • 25
    Soggy-Isopod9... . 46m ago Welp, if you're not in chattel or a state of indenture ... But, I can dig it if you're just venting, we've all been there. Hate Jobs/Love Work
    via u/Soggy-Isopod9681
  • 26
    Imaginary-Frien... • 42m ago Why should young people. "volunteer enough". Clearly the pay isn't good enough to get people working on Sunday
    via u/Imaginary-Friend-228

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