Overtime/on-call pay question for IT workers

930addict · 930addict's Garage

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widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Some places have a rotating on-call schedule with a small pay differential for when you're 'it'. OT is SOP for hourly positions.

kmhemi · 04-26-2006, 07:11 AM

I am an IT Tech for a very large company. I am paid hourly plus overtime. We rotate dayshift and nightshift at two week intervals. I hate the rotation but I also get a shift differential pay so it's not so bad. We do not have any on call people due to the shift rotation.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by 930addict
I'm interviewing for an I.T. job and was wondering how many of the senior I.T. people here get paid overtime and on-call pay because this place pays for both.

What do you mean by Senior? Network, management, development.....?

FWIW, most of the places I've been exposed to do not offer overtime for salaried employees. In many instances comp time is offered.

71T Targa · 04-26-2006, 07:39 AM

I’ve been in IT for 15+ years and have seen it all. From time and a half for OT, to 50% pay, to no extra pay and expected over time. It all depends on the company. I’ve been offered comp time at 100% (work an extra hour, take an hour off) 150% and 50% as well.

930addict · 930addict's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RickM
What do you mean by Senior? Network, management, development.....?

FWIW, most of the places I've been exposed to do not offer overtime for salaried employees. In many instances comp time is offered.

My title would be Senior Systems Engineer. I would be working with servers, building and maintaining a SAN - stuff like that. I just thought it was interesting as this is the first time I've actually seen anything over a tech position that paid overtime and on-call pay. Most places just expect it. The extra pay would sure make getting up in the middle of the night a little easier to stomach though.

RallyJon · 04-26-2006, 08:36 AM

Best system I've heard of pay you to carry the beeper, but also has a massive charge/bonus if they actually call you. Makes for a strong disincentive for the client to beep you, and filters out the frivolous calls. Also aligns with your interests, since you know if you have to go in, at least there's a big check associated with it.

930addict · 930addict's Garage

Yeah if I get called it's an automatic 4hrs of overtime regardless of how long it takes me to fix the problem. Pretty cool policy.

KFC911 · 04-26-2006, 09:31 AM

I'm a principal/lead communications systems programmer and have always been exempt (i.e. no OT) for several large corporations. Comp time has always been the standard for me (even if it wasn't official corporate policy). Without it, I would/will tell them to 'take this job and shove it'. I actually prefer comp time over additional salary as I am already well paid, and my time is MUCH more important (to me) than additional salary. I have no desire to work in a 'sweat shop' regardless of the compensation....life's just too short....

masraum · 04-26-2006, 09:59 AM

We have an on-call rotation. During the week that you are on call or the backup on call guy you get an extra lump sum on your paycheck. During the week that we are on call we get to stay home during the 7a-6p and do what I want. I'm then on call the other 13hrs.

I'd still just rather not get called, but this certainly makes it easier.

jrdavid68 · 04-26-2006, 10:35 AM

I'm on salary - no overtime or comp time. The page at 5:30am this morning only caused me to lose sleep and become irritable (stupid users) - no extra pay.

Vipergrün · 04-26-2006, 11:47 AM

I'm a Sr. Systems Engineer for Oracle. I get salary + 15% shift differential for working weekend nights. No OT or pager pay, though. If you are hourly, you are entitled to OT pay, if you are salaried, otherwise known as "exempt", they own you, and you are probably in an "at will" employment State, so tough luck..... Even comp time is becoming scarce a lot of places.

KFC911 · 04-26-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bb80sc
.....otherwise known as "exempt", they own you, and you are probably in an "at will" employment State, so tough luck..... Even comp time is becoming scarce a lot of places.

Not really disagreeing with what you've said, but they only "own you" if you let them....thus explaining my stance. My previous position (over 10 years ago) was for one of the largest banks in the US, and it turned into one of the 'sweat shops' that I referred to. After being a 'work horse' for many years, always on call, and countless weekends and 3 am phone calls, I had a clueless manager insist on regular 'work days' regardless of extenuating events. I handed in my resignation the next day and it was the best move I've ever made. I was an AVP there at the time (a totally meaningless title in the banking world imo), and within days I had a 'no stress' position down the street paying significantly more and finally 'got my life back'. If you let them 'burn you out', sometimes they will.... I haven't looked back and life is good

!

Vipergrün · 04-26-2006, 02:05 PM

I agree with you Keith....I was trying to be general

So many firms these days frown on 40hr work weeks, with promotions going to those who 'burn the midnight oil'. Me? I'll take my 15% shift diff and 3x12 hour days and be done with it

KFC911 · 04-26-2006, 02:30 PM

I hear ya Brad....but you forgot the ending: "and he lived happily ever after"

. You're spot on...

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I've always been salaried, no overtime or "on call" pay. I've heard of it, but have never seen it myself...

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by 930addict
My title would be Senior Systems Engineer. I would be working with servers, building and maintaining a SAN - stuff like that. I just thought it was interesting as this is the first time I've actually seen anything over a tech position that paid overtime and on-call pay. Most places just expect it. The extra pay would sure make getting up in the middle of the night a little easier to stomach though.

I am the SAN manager and mainframe storage guy for my company. Good stuff - the technology is advancing by leaps and bounds month by month.

That said, I am a salaried worker, get no overtime, get called frequently (I'm the only storage guy and manage about 30 TB of disk) and they keep giving me more and more responsibility.

But I do get paid a bonus!

-Z-man.

Vipergrün · 04-26-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Z-man

But I do get paid a bonus!

-Z-man.

Most companies hand out bone-uses with a jar of vaseline if yer lucky

When I worked for the UC (University of Cal)system, the laziest folks who complained the most got the raises and promotions.....go figure.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Brad:
I've been in IT since 1990 and worked for four companies in my career - my current company (Mercedes-Benz USA HQ) is the only place I ever got an annual bonus. Yes, it is rare these days.
-Z-man.