On Call

Been on call for 4 years and I just can’t do it anymore. The pay is good but my health and happiness have suffered and I’m always on edge checking my phone to see if work has called me. This is not the way I want to live anymore.

5 Comments

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congratulations

Feb 11, 2019 at 11:18am

It's an important realization. Best of luck with your new path, there are other ways to live! Get healthy!

15 7Rating: +8

I know that feeling well.

Feb 11, 2019 at 12:32pm

I was on call for many years, evenings, weekends.
Don't know how many times I'd be sitting down to watch a football game that I'd been looking forward to all week and my phone would ring.
Just horrible.
You're right, the extra pay is very nice but not worth it for health and peace of mind.

18 7Rating: +11

Deliberate

Feb 11, 2019 at 2:44pm

I think that the reason so many people are forced to work on call in spite of being in a union, is because they don’t want to have to pay for benefits. That’s also why so many people are told that there’s nothing but part time shifts available at many businesses. The employers can avoid paying for benefits, actual vacation time (instead of just adding a percentage to each paycheque), and having to deal with all of the rules and obligations they do with full time employees.

14 7Rating: +7

Full time

Feb 11, 2019 at 5:37pm

I used to be in the same boat as you but gave it up so I decided to work full time instead. Higher pay and better hours so I know where I’m going. I’d let go of the on call job you have and get a full time one. Good luck.

11 7Rating: +4

@OP

Feb 11, 2019 at 9:47pm

i agree. Rest is Critical

7 7Rating: 0

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