Advice needed on payment for being on call

linnyp

I'm trying to put together a proposal for how people might be paid for being 'oncall' but need to find out how much other employers pay for this or some factual evidence on how it should be paid. It's in social care and staff are expected to be on call from 5pm Friday till 9am Monday, and then 5pm till 9am Monday to Friday. This is for one week in three and staff are expected to deal with any queries or emergencies over the phone, or go in if necessary and cover a shift if someone goes sick and no-one else is available to cover it.
Currently this is 'paid for' as part of the hourly rate but needless to say staff don't feel this is appropriate or reflects the inconvenience caused as the hourly rate is low for the job anyway, and for one week in three you can't drink alcohol, plan anything as you might be called in, or be too far from work.
Any thoughts, suggestions, links etc would be gratefully appreciated.

lynzpower

i do on call and I do a week on 5pm to 9am.

We currently recieve half a days holiday which we all think is a bit crap. Im going to come off it aqs the diruption is not acceptable for such a poor reward. Theres so much you cant do - including going to the cinema/ going iceskating- whatever. Its very disruptive and we dont even have to go anywhere just take phone calls.

Is this a "given" ie you HAVE to do it as part of the job. Im not sure where I read it but Im sure I saw if you HAVE to do it as part of the job then you sohuld be paid NMW. Worth speaking to your trades union about this Id suggest.

linnyp

Yes it is compulsory - I've just been reading around a bit and apparently if you have to be at your place or work it is covered by minimum wage but not if you are at home and contactable by phone. As is stands we get paid our hourly rate once we are called in but that doesn't make up for the inconvenience of not knowing if you will get called in or not.
It's a small business so no union :-(

VfM4meplse

You could compare your T&C with the NHS (AfC) system: http://www.nhsemployers.org/pay-conditions/agenda-for-change.cfm?frmAlias=/agendaforchange/

lynzpower

If you are in social care- is it a care home environment? supported lodgings type thing?
UNison can still advise, you can call thier helpline anonymously

ohreally

lynzpower wrote: »

UNison can still advise, you can call thier helpline anonymously

Ones membership number will be required before assistance/ opinion offered.

linnyp

ohreally wrote: »

Ones membership number will be required before assistance/ opinion offered.

Oh. Thanks for the suggestion though!

ohreally

We get an on-call allowance (paid whether called out or not) £130. Travelling time, home-base-home at time plus one half, minimum of two hours on call paid at time plus one half or double time depending on when the call out is, plus telephone line rental paid (employer to pay for line installation if none currently exists) plus incidental expenses to cover class "A" business insurance if the company applies a surcharge. Plus mileage allowance when using your own car.

linnyp

Wow! The best we get is provided with a work mobile for us to contact us on. Can I ask what field you are in?

ohreally

I'll pm you later. May be tomorrow.

PM sent.

shellsuit

When OH is on call for a week (Friday from 4.30pm through to Monday @ 8am, then Tues, Wed & Thurs, 4.30pm - 8am) he gets £100 just for being on call (even if he doesn't get a call), then gets paid travelling time and time for doing the job @ hour and a half rate, on a Sunday he gets double time).

The company are asking for all your time for a whole week and you only get paid if you actually get called in?? That's shocking!