On call payment question.

Marsupial

Hello,

I was told last week that my team at work would be implementing a 24x7 on-call rota.

No mention has been made of whether we'll be getting any extra pay for the time we're on-call, and I'm just wondering if employers do have to pay anything for on-call staff - I know some employers pay a flat rate for the on-call time, even if nothing happens, and I know some will only pay if something comes up during the on-call time, and the member of on-call staff has to attend to the issue.

I know asking my manager would be the easiest way, but I'm a afraid of sounding mercenary, and I have less than two years at my current work place.

I checked my contract, and it just mentions my normal working hours, but does mention that overtime and holiday working may be required without additional remuneration.

My salary is in the high 30's, so there shouldn't be any Minimum Wage issues, (especially since we'll only be on call like once every two months) and no travel would be required if something does up while on-call, just access to work laptop and internet connection.

Thanks.

Southend1

You should be looking to negotiate the best possible arrangement. Is there a recognised Union?

I would be pushing for a voluntary system with flat rate payment for the inconvenience of being on call regardless of whether there is a call out. Make sure that the agreement is clear that expenses will be reimbursed e.g. If you have to take a taxi or drive to the office out of hours.

However you and your colleagues may prefer another arrangement. If there is a union your rep could organise a workplace meeting to consult everyone involved before negotiating this.

DD265

Somebody I know gets a flat rate for the time that they're on call, no extra if they have to deal with an issue.

The person has recently said that the number of calls seem to be on the up so the team may be looking to negotiate the remuneration. They feel the flat rate as it stands is quite low for the inconvenience when you do get a call especially when they cover 24/7 at weekends.

TELLIT01

One company I worked for did much as your employer seems to have done - simply informed people that they would be on call in future. There was no proper rota implemented, if anybody was needed at night the shift leader had to phone round until they got somebody. As this was the days before mobile phones it was easy simply not to hear the phone go at 2 in the morning :-)
At another company we received just under £500 per week when on call (yes that figure is correct) and payment of between £22 and £35 per hour when called out. We definitely heard the phone when it rang from them.