Rank: Forum user 
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Morning All, We have a situation where we currently have two electricians on site during the day, but none available on shift. Each electrician is scheduled for on-call duty for a week at a time. The problem we’re facing is that one electrician has been off for the past five weeks, while the other has been on call during this entire period. Although he hasn’t been called in at all, that isn’t the main concern. We also have an electrical contractor who is familiar with the plant and has performed on-call duties for us in the past. My question is whether it would be legally questionable to have our electrician on call for six consecutive weeks. Based in the ROI, so I assume the laws may be different in the UK etc. Thanks all.
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Rank: Super forum user
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- Having one electrician on call for six consecutive weeks is not automatically unlawful in the ROI if:
(a) the standby itself doesn’t meet the test for “working time”;
(b) they still receive the required daily/weekly rest; and
(c) their actual worked hours (including call-outs) keep the 48-hour average compliant over the 4-month reference period. Irish Statute BookWorkplace Relations Commission
- If call-outs interrupt rest, schedule compensatory rest promptly; document it. Workplace Relations Commission
- Given the fatigue risk, many employers rotate standby or use a contractor as a relief to protect rest and show due diligence.
UK vs ROI: In the UK, workers can often opt out of the 48-hour average; Ireland does not allow an opt-out, so your compliance hinges on the averages and rest.
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 2 users thanked stevedm for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks again for the response. Regarding hours worked, he does 8-hour days and has not been called in once in the 5/6 weeks. I was thinking that the fact he was on call for that long, as he said himself, he can't plan anything, can't go for a drink, etc, and it gets a little stressful. I will ask to use the contractor for this week to give him a break, and hopefully our other guy will be back next week but not sure. Thanks.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I really feel for your electrician - most people work to live rather than live to work having the sword of damoclese hanging over all employee time out of the workplace is not healthy and likely causing problems in the domestic sphere.
I note you are only raising this due to an on-going absence of five weeks - what happens when either takes holiday? I would respectfully suggest this needs deeper consideration and discussion including your contractor and their employees.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I really feel for your electrician - most people work to live rather than live to work having the sword of damoclese hanging over all employee time out of the workplace is not healthy and likely causing problems in the domestic sphere.
I note you are only raising this due to an on-going absence of five weeks - what happens when either takes holiday? I would respectfully suggest this needs deeper consideration and discussion including your contractor and their employees.
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Rank: Forum user
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Yes, I agree it's not good, and I must put my hand up and say I only took notice when it was mentioned to me. For holidays, they normally cover each other and they dont mind doing 2 weeks when 2 weeks are taken as this would normally be only twice a year. This has now brought up a whole new conversation.
Thanks all.
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2 users thanked Torres for this useful post.
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