What is oncall?

Oncall is the practice of having someone available to respond to emergencies or urgent situations during non-business hours. This could include IT support, medical care, or technical assistance. The person or team on call may carry a pager or phone and must be ready to respond quickly if a situation arises. Oncall shifts typically rotate among team members and may involve being available during evenings, weekends, and holidays. This service is essential for many industries that require critical support outside of regular business hours.