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On call, but they will likely never call me in
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/12/2012(UTC) Posts: 1
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Haven't seen this topic lately so I'll ask again to see if policies have changed. In my section they give everyone an extra duty...my duty is the only one that requires on call. At first it was manageable, I get a call, and within 24 hours after the call I send an email. Ridiculous in this age of technology, but the CFRs are from the 70s and didn't forsee technology advancements. All described in IMs and CFRs. During normal work hours the detail involves more work, but this silly email is my on call task. Now they want to change it so I'm on call and stay in area....which is not described in IMs or CFRs. Under certain events they want me to visually verify the on-ground conditions the phone call described on the same day I receive the call. Yes this affects my free time....I typically do not stay in town during the weekend. And the kicker is according to historic data I'll only probably have to report to duty once a year, if even that often. A whole year of weekends trashed for maybe one day of pay. Basically I'm forced to be available for extremely little compensation. Can they change the on call status of my extra duty on call status on a whim, no IM or CFRs? Why is no one else in my section on call? How can they rationalize putting me on call and ruin my weekends, and then potentially pay me nothing because no events occurred requiring me to report to duty? We all have the exact same job descriptions.
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Rank: Senior Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/7/2016(UTC) Posts: 868
Thanks: 34 times Was thanked: 198 time(s) in 171 post(s)
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Originally Posted by: annabannannna  Haven't seen this topic lately so I'll ask again to see if policies have changed. In my section they give everyone an extra duty...my duty is the only one that requires on call. At first it was manageable, I get a call, and within 24 hours after the call I send an email. Ridiculous in this age of technology, but the CFRs are from the 70s and didn't forsee technology advancements. All described in IMs and CFRs. During normal work hours the detail involves more work, but this silly email is my on call task. Now they want to change it so I'm on call and stay in area....which is not described in IMs or CFRs. Under certain events they want me to visually verify the on-ground conditions the phone call described on the same day I receive the call. Yes this affects my free time....I typically do not stay in town during the weekend. And the kicker is according to historic data I'll only probably have to report to duty once a year, if even that often. A whole year of weekends trashed for maybe one day of pay. Basically I'm forced to be available for extremely little compensation. Can they change the on call status of my extra duty on call status on a whim, no IM or CFRs? Why is no one else in my section on call? How can they rationalize putting me on call and ruin my weekends, and then potentially pay me nothing because no events occurred requiring me to report to duty? We all have the exact same job descriptions. I'd say you've got three basic options... 1. refuse the additional duty and let the chips fall where they may. 2. request that the requirement to verify the on-site conditions be rotated among your coworkers. 3. accept the additional duty and just go on with your life as normal. If the call comes when you are out of town, call someone who can go to the site for you, or not... Roll the dice.
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Rank: Senior Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/4/2014(UTC) Posts: 291  Thanks: 5 times Was thanked: 69 time(s) in 66 post(s)
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The Dept. of Labor would say that the restrictions placed on you are not severe enough to prevent you from using your on-call time for your own personal purposes. https://www.dol.gov/whd/...2008_12_18_14NA_FLSA.htmDid they address what happens when you are on leave? I agree with requesting that the on-call duties be rotated.
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/28/2019(UTC) Posts: 1 
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Read here about your rights https://mosheslaw.com/laborandemployment/. I found a lot of new things that I didn't know before. I'm sure there is a way out.
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Federal Soup
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On call, but they will likely never call me in
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