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Original poster

Working on call

14 replies

miraflores81 · 19/06/2018 15:26

I’m currently 6 months into my mat leave and envisage going back to work in September. I am contractually obligated to work on call which involves weekends and overnight. As a full time worker it usually involves 1 on call session a week on average.

The thing is I really don’t want to do any on call any more as I’m worried about disturbing my son. I asked to only do daytime on call as 1 other member of staff does this but this has been refused. Are there any other mums who work on call overnight with no family help (other than partner) and how do they cope?

I am hoping to go part time and the on call will be pro rata but will still involve some overnight on call. They are all allocated in turn by going round in a circle but it’s highly unlikely I will be able to totally avoid night time on call.

Genuinely looking for advice, so please be kind 😊
Thanks

OP posts:
Scrumptiousbears · 19/06/2018 15:35

I work on call. I do one week in every 6. It is a part of our job profile and there is no option to not to it. We have a part timer who as part of the part time request has to work a full week when they are on call. If they hadn't agreed to this they would not have been granted part time hours. With regards to not doing the night part of this on call, again they wouldn't be allowed where I work as it wouldn't be fair of those employees that have to do more to cover your night.

I have a 2 and a nearly 4 year old. They never wake up during the night when the phone rings. During the day/evening they are aware when I am on my work phone they have to wait to speak to me until I'm finished on a call. My partner works shift so often I am alone with the kids working my on call.

Is there anything specific you are worried about? Personally one day a week seems easily doable in my opinion.

Original poster
miraflores81 · 19/06/2018 16:28

Hi scrumptious sorry I forgot to mention that being called when on call means I have to go in to work straight away. We’re not called in on every on call shift, but at least half the time.

I don’t know anyone with babies or young children who do this type of on call and am having visions of everyone being woken up and the baby screaming and me having to leave and my husband having to go work on very little sleep. If I am called in late at night I can come in late the next day, but obviously my husband can’t. At my last job one of the women was able to opt out of on call but obviously this is not an option for me due to the contract.
Also my son is not the best sleeper and can take up to 90mins to resettle if he wakes up sometimes, I think quite likely he will wake if the phone rings.

OP posts:
Scrumptiousbears · 19/06/2018 16:32

Can you do your one day on call when your DH doesn't work?

Original poster
miraflores81 · 19/06/2018 16:43

Because of the way on call rota is done I can try but no guarantees, I will have to do some 🙁

OP posts:
SandlakeRd · 19/06/2018 16:44

Can you sleep downstairs or in a spare room when you are on call?

Original poster
miraflores81 · 19/06/2018 16:51

Hi sandlake I guess I could sleep downstairs on the sofa but we only have a v small house and I have to have my phone on loud to ensure it wakes me up, it’s still likely to wake everyone up, but it might be worth trying. Do you do on call too?

OP posts:
CourtneyLovely · 19/06/2018 16:51

I had to do it when DD was very young and I didn't have a DP - my DM was on standby when needed (I had to go into work). If it's in your contract then it's in your contract!

Original poster
miraflores81 · 19/06/2018 16:57

And how did you find it when you had to go in courtney? And are you still doing it? Would you have got out of it if you could?

I understand it’s in the contract but others have found a way to modify the arrangement and I’m just trying to do the best for my family😊

OP posts:
SandlakeRd · 19/06/2018 16:58

No but I have friends that do. They do sleep downstairs with the doors shut. They put the phone next to their head and a few link it to their Fitbit so it vibrates too.

SandlakeRd · 19/06/2018 17:01

Also can you start doing dummy runs so you ring the phone at night. DC could start to get used to the sound and not wake up.

mayhew · 19/06/2018 17:09

As a community midwife I did on call for years. Usually one night a week. As did all my colleagues. Most of us have kids. The main concern is overnight childcare. It feels weird at first but it does become normal.

Original poster
miraflores81 · 19/06/2018 17:13

Thanks for your practical advice sandlake and mayhew some things to try😊

OP posts:
CourtneyLovely · 19/06/2018 17:38

mira it was a complete pita! But I managed, I had no choice. It was from when DD was about 6 months until she was about 8 years so quite a long time.

Original poster
miraflores81 · 19/06/2018 18:07

courtney I was envisaging it being a pita hence why I came on here asking for advice.
You must have found it really hard on your own, I doubt I would have coped very well in your position.

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