SingleMothers.us
Evening and weekend jobs for single mothers
Shifts that start when another adult is home with the children, so you work while they are covered.
What evening and weekend work looks like
Evening and weekend roles turn the usual problem around. Instead of finding care during the working day, you work the hours when another adult is home: the other parent after their shift, a relative at weekends or a partner who works days.
The trade-off is rest. Evening shifts end late, and a weekend day at work is a day away from the family, so most parents look for two or three evenings plus one weekend day at most.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before 3 p.m. | School run and errands | School run and errands | School run and errands | School run and errands | School run and errands | Work from 8 a.m. | Family |
| 3 to 5 p.m. | Pickup and dinner | Pickup and homework | Pickup and dinner | Pickup and dinner | Pickup and homework | Work until 4 p.m. | Family |
| 5 to 9 p.m. | Work | Family | Work | Work | Family | Family | Family |
| After 9 p.m. | Rest | Rest | Rest | Rest | Rest | Rest | Rest |
Evening shifts work when another adult is home by 5. Weekend days work when the other parent or a relative has the children.
How an employer can set it up
Publish the rota early
Give shifts at least two weeks ahead so parents can line up care. In some cities this is already the law for certain industries.
Keep shifts the same
The same evenings each week are far easier to cover at home than shifts that move around.
Set a firm finish
A shift that ends at 9 should end at 9. Late finishes cause the most trouble for parents relying on a sitter.
Offer weekend-only roles
Saturday and Sunday shifts suit parents whose children spend weekends with the other parent.
Pay and the law
Extra pay
Federal wage law does not require higher pay for night or weekend work. Any shift premium is the employer’s choice, so it is worth asking about.
Predictable schedules
Oregon and several cities require some employers to post schedules in advance and to pay extra for late changes. They cover certain industries and employer sizes, set out in the table below.
Overtime
Overtime is due at one and a half times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, whenever the hours fall.
Where advance notice is the law
| Where | Who is covered | Notice of schedules |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | Retail, hospitality and food service employers with 500 or more employees worldwide | 14 calendar days |
| New York City | Fast food chains with 30 or more locations nationally, and retail employers with 20 or more employees in the city | 14 days for fast food, 72 hours for retail |
| Chicago | Seven industries, including healthcare, retail and restaurants, at larger employers | 14 days |
| Philadelphia | Retail, hospitality and food service employers with 250 employees and 30 locations worldwide | 14 days |
| Seattle | Retail and food service employers with 500 or more employees worldwide | 14 days |
| Los Angeles | Retail employers with 300 or more employees worldwide | 14 calendar days |
| Evanston, Illinois | Larger employers in hospitality, retail, warehouses, manufacturing, building services and food service | 14 days |
Some states, including Texas, Florida, Arizona, Michigan, Indiana and Georgia, stop their cities from passing scheduling laws.
Questions about evenings and weekends jobs
Do evening or weekend shifts pay more?
Not by law. Federal wage law does not require extra pay for night or weekend work, so any shift premium is up to the employer. Ask before you accept.
How much notice do I get of my shifts?
It depends on the employer. Oregon and some cities, including New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle, require advance notice of schedules in certain industries.
Can I find child care for evening shifts?
It is harder than daytime care. Many parents rely on the other parent, a relative or a trusted sitter. Your state’s child care assistance program can explain what help is available where you live.
Tell us when another adult is home
Send us the evenings and weekend days you can work, and your ZIP code. We look for shifts that start when your children are covered.