What is on-call work?

On-call work is a type of employment where employees are expected to be available to work outside their regular hours on short notice, often in response to emergencies or unexpected demand for services. It is common in industries like healthcare, public safety, and customer service.

How does on-call employment function?

On-call employees are typically reachable by phone or other means and must report to work within a specified time when called. For example, an on-call doctor may respond to medical emergencies, or an on-call IT specialist may address critical tech issues.

Are hours spent on-call considered working hours?

Whether on-call hours are considered working hours depends on labour laws and specific circumstances. In some countries, on-call time may be counted as work if employees are required to stay near their workplace and cannot use the time for personal purposes.

How are on-call hours compensated?

Compensation for on-call hours varies by employer and industry.

Common methods include:

• Separate hourly rate for on-call time.
• Premium pay (e.g., time-and-a-half) for hours actually worked during on-call shifts.
• Standby pay for being available during on-call hours.
• Call-back pay for work outside scheduled hours.

Is on-call pay taxed differently than regular pay?

No, the taxation of on-call pay is the same as regular pay. On-call pay is considered taxable income and must be reported to tax authorities. Employers are responsible for withholding taxes from on-call payments.