Quick Ques Regarding ‘On Hold’

[Mumofoneandanotherontheway]

My working week is 5 days out of 7 a week, due to the current situation only 1 person will be working at any 1 time. So I’ll be physically going into work for 2/3 days a week. Other days I will be ‘on hold’ in case someone calls in sick to go into work.
So when I’m not physically at work I’m on hold for the rest of the week. Is that fair?

I would say so, if you are still getting your full pay. My DP is still working but his hours have reduced from 9-5 Monday to Friday to 10-2 two days per week, but he has to be available to come in to work on the other 3 days if someone is ill. He is still receiving his full pay so he is happy to go in if needed.

Why would it not be fair? Is everyone else not doing the same thing? Are you being paid?

No so I think I haven’t made it clear...
they want me to go in to work 2 days a week & be on hold the remaining 5 days and not set my days off which I normally get 2 days.
I normally would go into work 5 days out of 7, those remaining 2 days would be my days off. But now they want me on hold on those too although they are saying it would be very unlikely I would get called.
But i just find it unfair as I’m not being told when I’m off instead I’m just on hold every day.

Yes so seems like he would be working the 5 days which is what he would normally do. But my work want to go in for 2 days and on hold for the remaining 5 days

What does ‘on hold’ consist of? Staying at home, presumably? What does a day off look like at the moment? Staying at home...?

You’re being paid to work 5 days a week. You’re only having to work 2. You may have to go in on the other days but it’s unlikely.

Sorry but I think that sounds ok to me...

How is it not ‘fair’? Are other people being given fixed days off?

Also, presumably in practice you are only ‘on hold’ for an hour or two in the morning until it becomes clear that person has not phoned in sick?

No other stores have actually given people ‘off’ on the rota.
Also on hold is for the day so from 7-5 as if the person at work on the day has to go home due to being sick. Also cover in other local stores so on hold for that too.

It seems vanishingly unlikely that you’d have to go in because of someone being unexpectedly taken ill during the day.

What difference would it make to you having designated days when you are absolutely guaranteed not to work, in circumstances where you have to stay home anyway?

Other stores have given ‘off’ days on the rota. Didn’t mean to write NO.

But what difference does it make at the moment?

I think personally it makes a difference as I have young kids I need to know how my working pattern will be, getting groceries in. It’s a long time to be on hold for: all day for 5 days a week!

Have you explained that? Is there no one else who could organise the kids and shopping? Are you also having to sort childcare?

They are saying it’s very unlikely. It is even more unlikely you’d suddenly be called midway through the day because someone’s been taken ill.

By all means make a fuss about it if you want to, maybe they’ll change things. But in a situation where you’re getting paid for 5 days work but only doing 2/3 with a slight possibility you might need to do a bit more, and have to stay home anyway, you may prompt some eye rolling from those who are probably stressed and working hard trying to sort all this out.

Up to you.

Could you suggest they give you all 'an order of standby' eg on my rota I am in the office some days but '1st standby' to come in or '2nd standby' to come in on other days. I think you have a point.

I dont think its fair, you are essentially on call for 7 days a week. I think you need to speak to your employer and ask them for 2 set days off.