I Refused to Go to Work on the Weekend, Even If It’s an Emergency

Working at a place 10 whole months faithfully was put to an abrup test and this person failed miserably.
An emergency means extenuating circumstances, not every weekend.
I'd have fired their butt too.
Maybe being a barista somewhere with little responsibilities is a better fit.

You didn’t refuse a routine weekend assignment — you refused an emergency tied to client security. In law, protecting confidential files isn’t just “extra work,” it’s a core responsibility.

Action: For future roles, clarify with your employer how emergencies are handled. That way, you’ll know in advance when you’re truly off duty and when extraordinary circumstances require stepping in.

Reframe This as a Learning Opportunity, Not Just a Loss

Carol A

How would you like it if your house was on fire, but the firemen said "we're sorry, but we don't work on weekends"? This was an emergency, and it sounds like you had no urgent reason why you couldn't go help, even for your own clients. I'd get rid of you if you worked for me, mainly because you lack commonsense.

Being let go feels brutal after months of dedication, but the lesson is clear: some industries expect 24/7 readiness.

Action: Use this experience as a filter. Look for firms or companies that clearly respect work-life balance in their policies. By asking targeted questions during interviews, you can avoid repeating the same mismatch.

Repair Your Reputation Before Moving On

Leon R Hansen

I have worked for others

Law is a small world, and word spreads quickly. Right now, colleagues might see you as “the one who refused to protect client files.”

Action: Reach out to a trusted mentor or supervisor from the firm. Explain calmly that your refusal was about protecting your personal time, not a lack of respect for client confidentiality. Even if the contract isn’t renewed, this may preserve references you’ll need later.

Build an Emergency Response Strategy for Yourself

You value weekends, but emergencies will pop up again in any demanding field.

Action: Decide in advance where you draw the line — for example, “I’ll respond if it’s a one-off crisis tied to client safety, but not for routine weekend work.”
Having a personal plan avoids hesitation and helps you respond in ways that won’t backfire professionally.

Another reader chose not to join a weekend team-building trip, and her choice led to an unexpected response from HR. Check out her story here.

Comments

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You did the right thing... There is NO WAY I would go to the office on weekend

Harry Verner

Well just dont respond until Sunday evening & say u had bn camping

Harry Verner

That's a good idea! Love it

As an attorney that is one way to not just lose your job but your license as well or have a big malpractice suit against you

Sara Kreps

you're in the wrong field if you never want to work weekends.

Are these all AI generated? 90% of the posts I see have a part where it says "I froze" then something not really surprising at all. But they always freeze, no other terms that mean the same thing... it could be they are being translated to English sloppily, but seems more like AI click bait.

Sara Kreps

I'm convinced most of these are ai. not only do they always freeze, but the other side always accepts their poor behavior with no initial response/reaction except for maybe a "slight smile". and then makes a grand gesture to put the offender in their place.

Cheryl Cadwell

Don't know that it is AI, but just bad edits to make the story sound more sensational? Just my opinion.

Lisa Barbeau

I always assume most of these are either AI or fake. More so here than even other sites. I’m always interested in what commenters have to say, thinking of them more as morality tales.

Matt Smolensky

You were 100% in the right ... but sometimes its more important to be smart then right. Their reaction was predictable. In a country with a healthy attitude toward work, your reaction would have been fine, but that is not this country. Our boss class enforces an abusive and outdated work culture that all too often punishes anyone who wants a proper relationship with work. That is, I'm assuming you're an hourly worker at the office. If you're on a salary, and especially if you're an attorney, you should have gone in to help, since you would be overpaid and underworked anyway.

Matt Smolensky

This isnt an abusive request. Attorneys have to protect client confidentiality 100% of the time and thr occasional weekend can be necessary due to deadlines or clients needs. There is a huge difference between a firm that expects ALL weekends to be worked and one who expects it IF NEEDED to properly perform the job. That is just meeting our ethical duties.

Matt Smolensky

You're right about 1 thing, it wasn't an abusive request. It was an abusive demand ... if it was a request, there would have been no repercussions for refusing. And anyone who takes their ethical duties seriously would have respected their employees off time, one of the key ethical duties in leadership. The owners, partners or salaried managers should have risen to the occasion and done their jobs without bothering those beneath them in the company hierarchy. How much you want to bet they weren't even offering overtime?

Daniel Escritor

It sounds like the Firm never EXPECTED shit or they would have had an Emergency Plan Of Action in place that saved them labor costs while maximizing effectiveness and efficiency of their response in a way that would minimize their losses as well. Step 1: Turn Off Water Main. Step 2: Secure all unsecured offices and filing cabinets. Step 3: (concurrent with step 2) Assess all damages and appraise situation. Step 4: Call a plumber. Step 5: Notify lawyers and partners whose files HAVE been affected. Step 6: Lawyers reprint all lost or damaged papers on Monday morning or have Paralegal or Legal Assistants do so. Step 7: For any papers that cannot be reprinted, send request for certified copy to the originator of the papers. Step 8: The firm will pay any costs associated with certified copies being replaced and will either bill it to the client or eat the cost using the company slush fund/emergency fund.

Vicki Laverty-Trego

It sounds like a one time emergency and you couldn't help? Have fun job hunting and don't expect a good review.

Annjaleena XXO

Vicki Laverty-Trego

I did labor law and they cannot give you a bad review. My attorney said they ask two questions (1) did so and work there, and (2) is she rehire able. That will tell an employer all they need to know.

wendell wade

Maybe just don't answer the phone? The end result might have been the same but you could at least have a case to argue (no pun intended)

Clara Stallworth

Yta, for the reason that it was a bonafide emergency! A burst water pipe can do as much damage as a raging fire in terms of destroying property. Yes, files can be backed up, but in the legal profession, hard copies are king! All HR was asking of you is for help preserving CASE FILES, which are crucial for defending your clients; they were NOT asking you to prepare depositions for a case! By dismissing your firm's plight, you proved that you couldn't be relied on for your clients, so that's why you got shown the door! Now you have to start from scratch all over again, and good luck trying to get a referral from your former employer!

Trabble

I'm assuming you haven't been working for too long in the field. Ten months is not all that long. There are always positives to be found in any situations. A few simple questions could help you gauge the seriousness of the situation. If you suggest you're in the middle of something you can't leave right now but will be available in two hours it suggests willingness to help while also understanding what's going on. They might reply with 'thanks, but we'll have it sorted by then' or 'is there no way you can get back to your event later? The files will be lost and it could cost xyz his court case'. From there you quickly evaluate what you are willing to do, and also potentially face repercussions. After all it seems this was the first such call in ten months, right?

Perfect

You are 100% in the wrong. I am assuming you are an attorney with the firm. As such you have an ethical duty to protect tour clients information as well as to work the hours needed to provide competent legal services. Yes, this sometimes includes weekends. You dont get to say nope not working this weekend to meet this filing deadline, nope not securing my clients confidentially.

In fact you are ALWAYS on the job to protect confidentially.

You very much picked the wrong profession to have this attitude and this is from an attorney who doesnt work evenings and in almost 20 years of practice has worked like 4 Saturdays

Chrys Thorsen