I just got a new job and was surprised to learn that I'm expected to do 24/7 on-call support for the C-suite for one week every month. This feels incredibly invasive and is going to affect my personal life significantly. I'm hoping to negotiate some changes, like suggesting they create a direct line through Teams for daytime issues instead of pulling me in during my off time. Is it reasonable to push back on this requirement, and how can I approach the conversation? Any tips for negotiating or potentially getting out of this arrangement?
5 Answers
You definitely have grounds to negotiate this. Start by clarifying what 'C-Suite Support' really means. Are you expected to handle simple issues, like Excel help, or only emergencies? Also, ask about their expected response time during calls and whether or not you'll get compensated. If it’s just random calls, you want to establish some limits and guidelines to make it manageable.
Definitely consider getting clarification on the payment structure if you're expected to be on call that much.
I’ve been in a similar role; it’s not fun. Just so you know, having a defined relationship and using a dedicated number for C-suite on calls can be helpful. It can limit interruptions and help you communicate your availability more effectively.
Having a clear structure around on-call duties can ensure you aren't fielding calls for trivial issues.
Yeah, setting boundaries is key for mental health—good luck!
Honestly, they changed the terms on you after hiring, which isn’t cool. You should counter with your terms, or simply decline if they keep resisting. This should involve some sort of additional compensation for all that extra time you’re being asked to be available.
It's completely fair for you to want compensation that reflects the extra burden they’re placing on you.
If they refuse to budge, seriously consider your options—it’s not worth your sanity.
In my experience, if you’re being demanded to be available 24/7 without proper compensation, then it’s a big red flag. The standard should be that you’re either paid for those hours or you should negotiate for a lot more flexibility in your schedule to compensate for the on-call commitment.
Spot on. It might also be worth looking into other job opportunities if they won’t bend.
True, if they have such high expectations, it’s fair for you to demand your worth.
That's a heavy expectation! Most people wouldn’t tolerate being on call like that without significant pay. It's reasonable to demand a higher salary or at least a generous after-hours compensation structure—especially if it's not a typical part of your job description.
Exactly! Being on call should come with clear terms about what’s expected and how you’re compensated.
Never forget, your time is valuable—don’t let them take advantage of you with vague promises.
Sounds like a good plan—if they can define what qualifies as an emergency, that might tone down the scope.