outside of working hours

USAGE SUMMARY

'outside of working hours' is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about activities outside of business hours, such as after work or on a weekend. For example, "I'm available for a meeting outside of working hours if that works for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

What are the best ways of switching off outside of working hours?

The Guardian

"We could hire her outside of working hours to come to bed with us.

The New Yorker

There are also concerns that for many patients, especially the elderly and long-term ill, seeing the same doctor at every appointment is more important than being able to visit outside of working hours.

Independent

Boredom comes from within so find ways to educate yourself – take online classes and create a learning plan on your own and outside of working hours.

Forbes

Last year, they gave people the legal right to disconnect from work — no checking emails or taking calls — outside of working hours.

Forbes

Patients admitted to a class B hospital outside of working hours are typically treated with fibrinolysis with a goal of door-to-needle time less than 30 min.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

They called one another on the phone, were more comfortable contacting each other outside of work hours, and talked for longer when they connected.

Harvard Business Review

He blamed numerous modern trends on eroding that bonhomie — including harsher political ads demonizing members of Congress, members traveling more frequently to their districts rather than spending time getting to know each other outside of work hours, and the instantaneous news updates available online.

The Washington Post

The bigger picture is that by keeping employees more engaged and supported at work, including outside of work hours, they become more invested in the workplace and are likely to stick around longer.

TechCrunch

Chances are, either you, a loved one, or someone you work alongside has experienced a mental health challenge – something no one can simply leave at home and deal without outside of work hours.

Forbes

It would appear that, just like everyone else, it's totally normal for Polish people to spend all day doing a job that forces them to save their drinking for outside of work hours.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling meetings or tasks, be specific about the time frame covered by "outside of working hours" to avoid ambiguity. For example, state "evenings after 6 PM" or "weekends".

Common error

Avoid using "outside of working hours" when you specifically mean "overtime". Overtime implies work done beyond regular hours that is still compensated, while "outside of working hours" can encompass unpaid activities or personal time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside of working hours" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating when an action occurs or a resource is available. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing activities like checking emails, booking appointments, or receiving medical treatment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outside of working hours" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to define periods beyond standard work schedules. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to clarify timing in relation to work. When using the phrase, be mindful of potential overlaps with terms like "overtime" and specify the timeframe for clarity. Alternatives such as "after hours" exist, but consider context when choosing a substitute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after hours

This is a more concise and common way to express time outside regular business operations.

outside business hours

This phrase maintains a similar level of formality but is more specific to business operations.

non-working hours

A straightforward alternative, directly negating working hours.

during off-hours

Implies a period when work duties are not expected.

beyond the workday

Highlights that the time is after the regular working day has concluded.

after the close of business

A formal way to indicate time after business operations have ceased for the day.

in one's free time

Focuses on personal time, moving away from the work-centric view.

on one's own time

Emphasizes that the activity is performed during personal, non-paid time.

in one's leisure time

Suggests a focus on relaxation and enjoyment rather than merely the absence of work.

post-work

A shorter, more informal term for activities occurring after work.

FAQs

How do I use "outside of working hours" in a sentence?

You can use "outside of working hours" to describe activities or availability that fall outside the normal workday. For example, "I prefer to keep my weekends free and avoid checking emails outside of working hours."

What is a more concise way to say "outside of working hours"?

Alternatives such as "after hours" or "off-hours" can be used for brevity. However, consider the context to ensure the meaning is clear.

Which is correct: "outside of working hours" or "outside working hours"?

"Outside of working hours" is generally preferred and more common. While "outside working hours" might be understood, it is less grammatically conventional.

Is there a difference between "outside of working hours" and "during off-hours"?

While similar, "during off-hours" tends to emphasize scheduled periods away from work, whereas "outside of working hours" is a broader term that simply refers to any time not spent working.