Requested to be on call on Saturdays

[Caspar]

My employer has asked me to be oncall on Saturdays from 10-2pm.

At the same time I've been asked what I think is reasonable recompense for being available to respond to IT issues/questions. This response would be by phone and most likely remote computer dial-in.

So, what is the going rate for being oncall on Saturdays for 4 hours?

Any advice on this is appreciated

[Paul]

Time and a half minimum if it's not stated in your contract that you are expected to cover weekends

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

when i used to do that a while back. I got £50 + time and a half for Saturdays. If i didnt get called i only got the £50

[Paul M]

Do you mean as well as your 4 hours overtime pay ?

[allieyoung666]

I am call 24/7, so I do not know what the going rate is, as it varies from profession to profession. I get double time and a half of whatever rate I am on for that day and then I get travelling expenses. Paul was on a similar rate when he was on the plant. So go for double time, I cannot see that being to unreasonable.

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Isnt double time only normally for Sundays?

[Paul M]

Normally you get overtime for the time you work, plus a payment for being "on call".

[Chimaera]

At work we get time and a half for Saturdays, double time for Sundays, time and a half for hours worked out of office hours (before 8 and after 6.30) and double time and a day off in lieu for Bank holidays (if ever you get asked to work any of those).

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by Paul M

Normally you get overtime for the time you work, plus a payment for being "on call".

Yep, have to agree, you want a fair retainer plus payment for / per call, after all, its not just 4 hours, it's basically tied your Saturday morning and afternoon down, when you could be wanting to go / do other things.

[allieyoung666]

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

Isnt double time only normally for Sundays?

No not for agency as we are on call 24/7, so it is like an incentive to get out of my pit at 6am on a morning, nursing agencies are strange as they give us cash incentives and we collect care miles so we can go on training courses. Plus not a lot of quallified agency like to do nights so they up our rates and let us have plenty of rest

[Caspar]

Cheers for the advice peeps

[paulyoung666]

time and a half / double time is not often paid now , more like time and a third / time and 2 thirds , i suppose it depends on what they are expecting you to do , sitting by the phone i reckon is more tying compared to being on the end of a mobile if you are needed

[zoombini]

Are they also going to provide the PC if your doing it from home?
pay for the upkeep/power it uses?

Time & 1/2 is OK for upto 12:00 after that I'd want double time as it really ruins the rest of the day.

Maybe a retainer & per call if your only going to get time.

[Tricky]

There is a difference between being on call and being called...My employer pays a really small sum (per hour) *sub £3.00 for being "on call" which is pants cos you cannot hit the pub etc. But if you are called you get a minimum number of hours despite the length of the call out. What would you be doing (especially as the sun is supposed to shine) and put a value on not doing it..

[fireman328]

Time and a half for Saturday until midday.
Double time after midday and all day Sunday.
Travel costs or mileage rate if relevant.
If on a regular basis i.e. every two weeks. £200 p.a. retainer.
Thats what my non uniformed workshop staff, mechanics, communications engineers etc. got paid