On-call workers must be able to report to work immediately, usually at night, on weekends, or on holidays. As a result, they always need to keep their phones close by. In fields like healthcare or IT support, where quick action is crucial, employees often take it in turns to be on call.
In my case, I was once on call to perform compatibility tests for organ transplants from brain-dead donors. Since I never knew when or in what situation the phone might ring, I could never fully relax. I always wore a smartwatch when I went to bed, to avoid missing any calls while I slept. Even in the shower, I made sure to have my phone nearby.
Though it was tense day after day, I felt a sense of pride knowing I could help save a life. However, I do hope that those who give up their everyday routine for this kind of work receive fair compensation.
come in to work - to arrive at one's place of work
it can't be helped - to be unavoidable
온콜(호출 대기) 근무자는 보통 야간, 주말 또는 공휴일에도 즉시 업무에 대응할 수 있어야 한다. 따라서 항상 휴대전화를 가까이에 두고 있어야 한다. 의료나 IT 지원과 같이 신속한 조치가 필요한 분야에서는 근무자들이 교대로 온콜 근무를 하는 경우가 많다.
나는 뇌사 기증자의 장기 이식을 위한 적합성 검사를 수행하기 위해 온콜 근무를 한 적이 있다. 언제 어떤 상황에서 전화가 울릴지 모르기 때문에 항상 긴장감을 늦출 수 없었다. 잠자는 동안 전화를 놓치지 않기 위해 잠자리에 들 때는 항상 스마트워치를 차고 잤다. 샤워할 때도 항상 휴대폰을 가까이에 두었다.
하루하루 긴장되는 상황이었지만 생명을 살리는 데 도움이 될 수 있다는 생각에 자부심을 느꼈다. 하지만 이런 일을 위해 일상을 포기하는 사람들이 정당한 보상을 받았으면 좋겠다.
- I don’t want to report to work today. / We had to report to work on Saturday.
- Most people always keep their phones close by these days. / I kept my phone close by, waiting for him to call.
- I felt a sense of pride when the project was completed. / As a parent, I truly felt a sense of pride.
A: Why didn’t you come in to work yesterday?
B: I got a call the night before, so I worked early in the morning and took the day off.
A: No wonder I didn’t see you. It must have been tough to go in so suddenly.
B: It can’t be helped. After all, the work has to be done.
A: It must be hard to do without a sense of duty.
B: Yeah, but sometimes you get a day off the next day, which is nice.
