On-Call - some advice needed.
Discussion
Boring_Chris said:
Actually when the on-call was first brought about it was mentioned that 'disciplinary action' may be taken should you be unable to field a call. I asked for clarification (who'd not when the term 'disciplinary' is included?!) but was largely laughed out the office.
So, the penalties are probably too vague to realistically enforce (maybe that's why I was laughed out? I may have missed the glaring hole in the contract that everyone else could see very clearly!)
With regards to being 'on' 24x7x365... I just really love money. Ha.
(actually I juts quite like my job as is - I've done it for years and it's nice to have the responsibility. The 'work' (ie. maintenance and repair) is the least taxing part of the job (the most being the human beings involved)
I have been in a similar situation myself - Both as part of a team on a rota, and the sole responsibility bearer. Sounds like 'big boss' knows they need two people to cover. Your concern is that makes you a little less indispensable, and lowers you take home. However, you've noticed that the new on call person isn't as capable as you. Perhaps a win for you would be for them to start sharing with you, but you're second line senior they can escalate to if they get stuck. You perhaps don't have to respond as quickly, but still get your extra wedge. You might be able to leave your phone unattended for more than 15 minutes then 3 or 4 nights a week.So, the penalties are probably too vague to realistically enforce (maybe that's why I was laughed out? I may have missed the glaring hole in the contract that everyone else could see very clearly!)
With regards to being 'on' 24x7x365... I just really love money. Ha.
(actually I juts quite like my job as is - I've done it for years and it's nice to have the responsibility. The 'work' (ie. maintenance and repair) is the least taxing part of the job (the most being the human beings involved)
Boring_Chris said:
should anything go wrong.
I've been the only engineer on the rota for near four years.
Those two lines should strike fear into the minds of anyone who cares about continuity. I've been the only engineer on the rota for near four years.
If you left tomorrow, without a replacement, what would happen out of hours?
I'm not saying it's nice that your money has just been pushed down, but from the company's view they're massively exposed having just one guy holding the torch if the lights are out.
andy-xr said:
Those two lines should strike fear into the minds of anyone who cares about continuity.
If you left tomorrow, without a replacement, what would happen out of hours?
I'm not saying it's nice that your money has just been pushed down, but from the company's view they're massively exposed having just one guy holding the torch if the lights are out.
Your logic is sound.If you left tomorrow, without a replacement, what would happen out of hours?
I'm not saying it's nice that your money has just been pushed down, but from the company's view they're massively exposed having just one guy holding the torch if the lights are out.
Can totally see why management want extra cover. You leave and they are stuffed. Just be careful they don't decide in future to do a rotating shift so all 7 days are covered by IT. I've done the whole on-call all the time and it's good because you feel needed and knowledgeable but being constantly relied on isn't. At least you got paid for being on-call. I only got paid if I went to site. It's 10 mins from me so I always went. Being sent texts while I was in Japan was the final straw. Now I have two techs who rotate to cover weekends too and I work Mon-Fri, covering where needed. It's a lean ship though. Someone on holiday then another on sick and it's a challenge. My guys do rotate an on-call phone too and while initially simple things would be escalated to me, they've been left to it so they can sink or swim.
Boring_Chris said:
Countdown said:
What makes you think the other guy isn't suitable?
Lack of knowledge and experience. The last time he was tasked with an out of hours call (scheduled overtime), he ended up calling me for advice. He's also too far removed from the local offices to offer any more than telephone support."Sorry, we were in the cinema, phone off"
Your big boss will be relying on your keenness to do it (you clearly are) to pick up the slack whilst your colleague comes up to speed. Fair enough, but he needs to pay you until such time. You're a fool to yourself if you don't enforce this, you will end up working for free.
Chozza said:
Are you sure the big boss isn't lining you up to replace the now departed boss?
Small hike in salary for you..and as a manager you get to be on call to support your new team 24x7.
And as a manager no on-call pay
Not even. The company aren't based in the UK and all promotions and managerial roles are quickly shifted 'off-shore'.Small hike in salary for you..and as a manager you get to be on call to support your new team 24x7.
And as a manager no on-call pay
Nice thought (and I see where you're coming from). But it's not happening here.
Boring_Chris said:
Not even. The company aren't based in the UK and all promotions and managerial roles are quickly shifted 'off-shore'.
Nice thought (and I see where you're coming from). But it's not happening here.
I would agree with the above suggestions, wait for a cock up to happen. Don't swoop in and save the day until the next day.Nice thought (and I see where you're coming from). But it's not happening here.
But don't irritate them too much. I suspect it wouldn't be much of an issue if your boss was still in play. Just be careful they don't off you next, or in the near future.
In my experience it's the opposite most people want to get off call. Although pay is crap at my place for being on call so no one wants to do it.
It does make good business sense for your company to have more than one person doing call. What happens when you are on holiday?
But if you do like doing on call then at my place if you can arrange for someone else to cover your on call they are ok just as long has someone's doing it. So maybe ask this other guy if he wants you to cover his on call or most of it. Just as long as your boss knows that another person is available if needed I can't see the problem.
It does make good business sense for your company to have more than one person doing call. What happens when you are on holiday?
But if you do like doing on call then at my place if you can arrange for someone else to cover your on call they are ok just as long has someone's doing it. So maybe ask this other guy if he wants you to cover his on call or most of it. Just as long as your boss knows that another person is available if needed I can't see the problem.
Edited by Not-The-Messiah on Wednesday 26th July 21:11
Some Guy said:
If the other person isn't suitable/qualified/knowledgeable. Then maybe ask for a payment to cover tutoring and mentioning the other person.
I agree with this. On call is a lonely place and that new guy will most likely struggle as most new, non qualified, inexperienced people do. Just don't let him struggle when it sounds like its the companies decision to add extra on call staff and not the individuals. Hats of to you for covering everyday though.
Edit. Ask for disturbance allowance. If the new person calls for assistance then you get paid. Win win as you will get some money (maybe not as much) and your bosses will see for them self how valuable you are needed for support.
Edited by Mikeyjae on Thursday 27th July 22:27
Big boss man is doing the right thing imo, you can't have a single point of failure like that. What if you're off long term sick? Take a big holiday? Hand in your 2wk notice? He's making sure there's cover elsewhere. This other person may not be entirely suitable for the role, yet, but the best way to get trained in fire fighting duties is to get thrown in imo.
I would try and negotiate the rota so you get the lions share
Don't you fancy enjoying some time off from being on call?
As above, I would be harsh and not answer any calls when its not your turn on call , let the s
t hit the fan, maybe you can then negotiate so you can charge any time your colleague calls you for advice which would be fair
Seen this a lot though people making lots (sometimes double) their pay through on call or overtime, only for management one day to pull the rug under their feet !! Knew one bloke you doubled his pay through overtime , this was consistent over a few years, bloke took out a larger mortgage then the company stopped all overtime and his salary overnight halved - Worse case scenario but always worth bearing in mind when you start making decent money from something that can suddenly end
Don't you fancy enjoying some time off from being on call?
As above, I would be harsh and not answer any calls when its not your turn on call , let the s
t hit the fan, maybe you can then negotiate so you can charge any time your colleague calls you for advice which would be fair Seen this a lot though people making lots (sometimes double) their pay through on call or overtime, only for management one day to pull the rug under their feet !! Knew one bloke you doubled his pay through overtime , this was consistent over a few years, bloke took out a larger mortgage then the company stopped all overtime and his salary overnight halved - Worse case scenario but always worth bearing in mind when you start making decent money from something that can suddenly end
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