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Who is ‘on-call’ in Australia? A new classification approach for on-call employment in future population-level studies

Author

Listed:
  • Madeline Sprajcer
  • Sarah L Appleton
  • Robert J Adams
  • Tiffany K Gill
  • Sally A Ferguson
  • Grace E Vincent
  • Jessica L Paterson
  • Amy C Reynolds

Abstract

Background: On-call research and guidance materials typically focus on ‘traditional’ on-call work (e.g., emergency services, healthcare). However, given the increasing prevalence of non-standard employment arrangements (e.g., gig work and casualisation), it is likely that a proportion of individuals who describe themselves as being on-call are not included in current on-call literature. This study therefore aimed to describe the current sociodemographic and work characteristics of Australian on-call workers. Methods: A survey of 2044 adults assessed sociodemographic and work arrangements. Of this population, 1057 individuals were workforce participants, who were asked to provide information regarding any on-call work they performed over the last three months, occupation type, weekly work hours, and the presence or absence of non-standard work conditions. Results: Of respondents who were working, 45.5% reported working at least one day on-call in the previous month. There was a high prevalence of on-call work in younger respondents (63.1% of participants aged 18–24 years), and those who worked multiple jobs and more weekly work hours. Additionally, high prevalence rates of on-call work were reported by machinery operators, drivers, community and personal service workers, sales workers, and high-level managers. Conclusions: These data suggest that on-call work is more prevalent than previously recorded and is likely to refer to a broad set of employment arrangements. Current classification systems may therefore be inadequate for population-level research. A taxonomy for the classification of on-call work is proposed, incorporating traditional on-call work, gig economy work, relief, or unscheduled work, and out of hours work.

Suggested Citation

  • Madeline Sprajcer & Sarah L Appleton & Robert J Adams & Tiffany K Gill & Sally A Ferguson & Grace E Vincent & Jessica L Paterson & Amy C Reynolds, 2021. "Who is ‘on-call’ in Australia? A new classification approach for on-call employment in future population-level studies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(11), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0259035
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Grace E. Vincent & Irina Kinchin & Sally A. Ferguson & Sarah M. Jay, 2018. "The Cost of Inadequate Sleep among On-Call Workers in Australia: A Workplace Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Beck, Matthew J. & Hensher, David A., 2020. "Insights into the impact of COVID-19 on household travel and activities in Australia – The early days of easing restrictions," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 95-119.
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