if the job you loved had a horrible side?

[VixxenPlusAllTheOtherReindeers]

I love my job and the people I work with. I go to work happy everyday which is a first for me.
However every three weeks I am call for a week. So only two week break each time.

Being on call is a nightmare. I can't go out as there are constant calls, complaints, people being late and people calling in sick which can mean phone calls between 6 am and 11:30. Sometimes it is good but sometimes it is BAD where I am trying to get cover for six different things at 7am.

You don't get to opt out. I don't think the money is great either for being on call especially when you have to work a forty hour week then be on call between 6-9 and 5-11:30 ish.

I really love my main job

Yes, on-call is almost unavoidable in my role, and it's something I ask about in interview - currently, I'll probably be called out once or twice a week, on average. That's a lot more manageable than once or twice a night or worse. No amount of money really compensates for being woken at 3am for a broken computer.

Would it ever be a deal breaker for you?

Yes, but then I am speaking as someone who has been looking for other work while in a job - I can afford to be fussy.

It's difficult to avoid on-call entirely in my line, but if they regularly have a heavy week which would really impact my sleep and therefore my quality of life for more than the odd night here and there, I just don't think it would be worth the money. They can take on some fit young person recently out of college. grin

I can't say I love my main job, mind you. There are bits of it I love, and quite a bit of it which I like, but I certainly wouldn't be doing it if I weren't being paid; I do have friends who would do their job even if they weren't paid, but I've never felt that over any job.