On-Call Rotations & Schedules

A roster that determines which engineer is responsible for responding to incidents at any given time.

On-Call Schedule

A roster that determines which engineer is responsible for responding to incidents at any given time.

## Common Schedules * **Weekly**: One person on for 7 days. (Simple, but high burnout risk). * **Daily**: Rotate every 24 hours. (More handoffs, but less fatigue). * **Custom**: 3 days on, 4 days off.

ExFintech Startup Schedule Evolution

"Started with ad-hoc "whoever is available" → chaos. Moved to weekly rotation → predictable but high fatigue. Final: 3-person teams with 2-days-on/5-days-off rotation using calendar-based scheduling tool."

Impact

On-call satisfaction score increased from 2.1 to 4.2/5

Resolution

Automated scheduling with fair rotation tracking

Why On-Call Schedule Matters

Ensures continuous coverage without relying on a single hero.

Predictability allows engineers to plan their lives.

Common Pitfalls

Last-minute schedule changes

Get 2 weeks notice for swaps. Emergency changes should be rare and compensated. Constant changes erode trust.

Not tracking historical on-call burden

Track who has been on-call during holidays, high-traffic periods, and major incidents. Use this data to ensure fair distribution over time.

Visualize On-Call Rotations

Benchmark against industry standards and identify improvement opportunities.

Launch Tool

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best on-call schedule?

There is no "best" schedule. The right schedule depends on team size, alert volume, and time zone distribution. Start with weekly rotations and adjust based on feedback.

How do I handle holidays and weekends?

Rotate holidays and weekends fairly across the team. Track who has taken holiday shifts and ensure everyone shares the burden. Use a "holiday multiplier" (1 holiday shift = 2 regular shifts).

Should on-call schedules be published?

Yes, publish the schedule at least 2 weeks in advance. Use a shared calendar or on-call scheduling tool. Engineers need time to plan their lives around on-call weeks.

Learn More

State of Incident Management 2025

Industry benchmarks, On-Call Schedule trends, and insights from 25+ engineering teams.

Free SRE Tools

Calculators, generators, and utilities for incident management teams.