What is an on-call rotation?
On-call rotation is the rule that advances shifts through a roster, setting how long each shift lasts, when handover happens and who is next.
On-call rotation is the rule for advancing through a roster: how long each turn lasts and when the handover happens.
This structure matters because it balances load and clarity. Daily rotations spread work but multiply handovers. Weekly shifts are the common default. Rotations longer than a week breed resentment. Handovers during working hours on a weekday are safest so the outgoing person can brief the incoming one.
Change the rotation and every future shift moves. Change the roster and the schedule regenerates from the next handover. For example, a weekly rotation might advance at Monday 09:00 Europe/London.