Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about giving up weekend plans for an early Saturday call where nothing concerned my team and no one noticed whether I was there. I have rewritten it into advice on unnecessary weekend calls.
The news that I had to join a Saturday morning call ruined my weekend plans of a good film and rest. I came home on Friday night and set an early alarm, which I hate, especially for work on a Saturday. The call brought no important information for me or my team, and by the end nobody had noticed whether I had been on it. After an hour it ended, and I went back to enjoying the weekend, though I left my office laptop on in case more work came.
Why are people invited to calls they do not need?
Because it is easier for the organiser to invite everyone than to decide who is needed. On bids, account teams fear missing someone at the key moment.
How do you find out if you are needed?
- Ask the organiser: "Is there anything on the agenda for my team?"
- Offer a written update instead: sent before the call.
- Agree to be on standby: reachable by phone if your topic comes up.
Is it risky to skip a weekend call?
Skipping without a word is. Asking beforehand, with an alternative, is usually welcomed. It shows you respect the deadline and everyone's time.
How do you protect the rest of the weekend?
After the call, confirm by mail whether anything is expected of you and by when. If not, switch off and rest. Leaving a laptop on "just in case" keeps you half at work all day.
What would make weekend calls better?
A short agenda with a time slot per team, and invites only for those with open items. Suggesting it to the organiser helps everyone on the next bid.
Should you claim time off for a call like this?
If your company allows compensatory leave for weekend work, record the time, even for a short call. It also shows the organiser what weekend calls cost the team.
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