When you have a job, is it then necessary to answer your phone during your free time?

No. Not for me. But it depends on the job.

Do they compensate you for being “on call” during your off hours? Did they give you a company phone for this reason? Did they set that requirement in your work contract or employment docs?

If the answer to the above is “no” then there you go!

In my job, there was no mention of off-hours stuff in my docs. I did not get a company phone. I am not compensated outside of my work hours/salary. So I don’t even have any work-related stuff on my personal phone, I outright refuse that. If they want me on call, they can compensate and give me a work phone. And even then, I’m pissed. I need *some* time off work, I don’t work in emergency services lol… No one is going to die if the work sits until Monday. I just take my free time seriously, I am not just a robot, I’m not defined by my job, I have a life.