How are contractors who are paid by piece to be compensated for "on-call"?

Question

I work for a cable contractor. We get paid by the number of jobs we do (piece-rate). So if I show up at 8am and sit around for three hours before I get one job assigned to me, I only get paid $22 for that one job. So when there's no work I'm basically on-call. Anyone know if I should be receiving some sort of compensation for my down time? For example, today I have one job assigned to me that is to be done between 3 and 5pm. What the h**l am I supposed to do with the time until then? Just sit around and hope I get work? Someone please give me some advice.

Answer 1

The nice thing about this country is if you don't like your employer, move on. You agreed to this when you signed in for this job. Quit looking for something for nothing.  

Answer 2

Negotiate a better contract.  Find some other occupation that can be accomplished during the down times.  

Answer 3

You indicate you are a contractor, so I assume you have a written contract.  First, review it carefully to see if there is anything in the contract that deals with this issue.  I seriously doubt that there is.  You get paid by the job and you are in a business where you are "on-call".  That means you must be available to go to a job when it has been assigned to you and you get paid only for the jobs you complete.  

Unless there is a clause in your contract that says you cannot do another type of work during your down time, you can do anything you wish with that time.  Why not try to get some work you can do at home around your schedule so you can be earning money while you wait for an assignment?  I know stuffing envelopes, etc. is not glamorous but it pays money.  

Just a comment, If you are only getting one job a day or even less, your company must either be over-staffed or they don't have enough work to keep you busy.  I would look for another company to work for that has more business or does not overstaff.

Answer 4

Negotiate a better contract or look for another job.  

Answer 5

Are you employed on work on contract basis? Or are you a subcontractor with a larger company where you a have a work you are given or bid on and used from time to time. You can recoup if you are your own employer or selfemployed through tax rightoffs. If you are a seasonal worker, union then you wait at the hall for assignments. I would suggest what ever the case you take other assignment work w/ other cable firms if possible, or you use your installation experience in other ways, estimating counts too if you do that, become an estimator.

You may have more choices than you think, breakdown what exactly you do and see what parts bring in the most money.