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Unpaid weekend on call - 52 weeks of the year

  • 21-04-2025 08:46PM
    #1
    Monfreid
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭


    Hello,

    quick question about on call. My manager left the company a few months back and I've been covering for him since. No pay rise or promotion in the near future. I'm still doing my old job and I have to look after what my manager used to work on too so very stressful and unrealistic to work like this in the long term.

    As part of my job, I used to be on call once a quarter at the weekend as it was rotating between everybody in my team across the globe. Now, as part of my new responsibilities, I have to be on call every weekend for any P1 escalation. When I raised this with my manager, he didn't get my point and it was my duty as a leader to be on call … but the fact is that I still have my old job title, I had no pay raise and double the work … it's totally unacceptable but I think the only thing my manager would react to is that if I tell him that this is actually illegal in Ireland. I know that 2 of my colleagues in Europe are not on call because in their country, on call has to be paid so they are off the hook.

    Do you know if there is regulation in Ireland that would prevent me to be on call every weekend of the year. I don't mind to be on call but it has to be fair and respect my work life balance, At this stage, my company is getting a good deal out of me as I'm doing 2 jobs and they didn't promote and gave me a pay rise. I only see sticks and no carrot in this new role. No sign of hiring a new manager either …

    Thank you



Comments

  • #2
    ax530
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭ax530


    This does not sound good at all.

    Unfortunately I don't know the answer to your question however a starting point while you waiting for someone who does would be to read up on European Working hours directive if it covers on call duty.



  • #3
    Buddy Bubs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,416 ✭✭✭Buddy Bubs


    Absolute madness don't accept that. I bet your old manager was well paid for it.

    In my place there's an on call retainer of 100 euro per week and a minimum of 2 hours overtime at time and a half for any callouts. Double time for after midnight, Sundays or bank holidays.

    Once every 6 to 8 weeks for each guy and they still dont really like doing it.

    Can't see any of the employees doing it for free.



  • #4
    JVince
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,914 ✭✭✭JVince


    A simple Google search gives you the information

    https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/what_you_should_know/employment_types/zero-hours-working-practices/



  • #5
    HBC08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,838 ✭✭✭HBC08


    They're doing this because you're facilitating it.

    I was in a position a few years ago where management chanced their arm with the team I was on saying we had to be on call at certain times.No extra money or benefits.

    This was during recession and half the team wanted to do it out of fear.Thankfully the other half simply said its not happening, that was the end of that .

    Just say you're not doing it,what can they say to you?



  • #6
    fritzelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,102 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    What does your contract say?



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  • #7
    JVince
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,914 ✭✭✭JVince


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123378105#Comment_123378105

    Makes no difference whatsoever unless it's better than the regulations



  • #8
    Monfreid
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭Monfreid


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123378047#Comment_123378047

    @JVince

    Thanks for the link, I did search for info before coming here but could not find anything that would clearly answer my question.

    I thought zero working hours contract where for people who work in retail or restaurant for example, since I have a full time job, I didn't think that would apply to on call.



  • #9
    fritzelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,102 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123378132#Comment_123378132

    Makes a whole lot of difference if he/she is paid with being on call as part of the contract and the wage includes renumeration for such. And if is actually called in to work is there reciprocal time off etc



  • #10
    kippy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,207 ✭✭✭✭kippy


    Start looking for another job. See how things pan out from there.



  • #11
    JVince
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,914 ✭✭✭JVince


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123378175#Comment_123378175

    Only if better than the regulations which set a minimum level of payment for hours sitting about being available.

    If the contract says 10% it's of no consequence as the statutory minimum is 25%



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  • #12
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,519 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    I think you need to start job hunting.

    They are totally taking the pi$$. On call EVERY weekend is totally unfair and unsustainable. Paid or not.

    Either they are in financial difficulty or they totally don't respect you. Neither is good to stay working there.



  • #13
    machiavellianme
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,426 ✭✭✭✭machiavellianme


    What happens if you don't answer the calls?

    There's a working time directive that limits the maximum number of hours you can work in a week (apart from a few niche areas), say you are breaching that due to too many calls.



  • #14
    JVince
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,914 ✭✭✭JVince


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123378165#Comment_123378165

    I've always been told it applies to everyone by my accountant and we would have people on call at certain times of year that is in addition to their regular work.

    He's strong on hr issues, so I would suspect he is correct.



  • #15
    Monfreid
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭Monfreid


    I have started to look for another job as this is not working for me but it's kind of hard to find something at the moment in my area.

    I am on call every weekend but don't really get calls since it's only for P1 escalations which is very rare but I still have to be available

    If i don't answer the call, it will be transferred to my manager who is US based

    I'm on call 9am to 5pm.



  • #16
    h2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,395 ✭✭✭h2005


    Just refuse to do it. Why would you tie yourself down like this without anything for it?



  • #17
    Murt2024
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 506 ✭✭✭Murt2024


    I get an extra 20% of my wages on top of it for been on call the weekend for P1 issues.


    I continue on my life as normal, I might get a call once every two months. If I don’t answer someone else will. You don’t put your life on hold for it whatsoever or have to make yourself available. If I was at a concert or game or out driniking or something I just tell them you need someone else and give my reason.

    I usually just leave the laptop in boot of car.



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