Tell me about on-call and duty shifts, what mode is comfortable to work in?

On-call — is a duty mode when an engineer is responsible for support and quick response to incidents in the system outside of working hours. Usually, on-call shifts are organized in rotations to ensure round-the-clock support.

Comfortable working conditions depend on several factors:

• Clear schedule of shifts with enough time for rest.
• Good documentation and tools for quick problem resolution.
• Escalation options and support from the team.
• Automation of monitoring and notifications to minimize false alarms.

It is optimal when shifts are evenly distributed, and there is an opportunity to switch to rest after an incident. It is also important that on-call is not a constant stress but perceived as part of the process with adequate compensation and support.