I'm not exactly sure this is "winning a right". It's something that makes it more difficult to serve customers.
Many companies these days have branches in all parts of the world. 1) Out of hours for oneself could be perfectly office hours for the customer. 2) you might be the only person knowing this part of the product or tech, and all is required could be just a quick yes/no answer.
I am not advocating for either side, but please -- the world is more complex than it seems.
See my pt 2.
> if my boss wants me 24 hour service he/she should pay me for it...
I think your boss wants result from you, not any random metrics like 24 h/on the job. If you consider that you are underpaid for the result you have been delivering -- have you demanded a raise?
In my experience, the evidence indicates this is not the case. They may say they want results, but results are really hard to measure, so they end up actually wanting hours and often various other easy-to-measure metrics.
Think about it - were you in the managers shoes in this position, you're forcing someone who is the only holder of critical knowledge of your business to work extra without compensation, and against his will - don't you think there's a pretty big risk there?
Regarding metrics, I think any manager who has even a tiny bit of empathy for his employees would realize that "time spent at work" (or more accurately - time spent not at work) is an incredibly critical metric for his employees' well being, and any discussion should look at what's important for the business as well as the employee.
EDIT: fixed grammar
I didn't require answering to insomniac customers at 3am, though I have actually received calls at 3am due to an emergency in Asia (which in my work may be an actual emergency with lives endangered).
Indeed, the world is a bit more complex than some people think.
> On the other hand, they're perfectly comfortable with me telling them, "I'll be in a bit late today because last night was rough". Give and take.
I'm comfortable waking up at 3am in the morning if it's needed, and my clients are comfortable with me not always being in a seat from 9 to 6. Flexibility on both ends, give and take. Plus, they are always appreciative of any effort, in or out of normal work hours. I love the clients I work with. We're a team.
There should never be a reason to wake someone up at 3am to fix a "we're losing 5 million dollars an hour" website problem.
Then you can pay me for the answer. This doesn't make it impossible to provide timely customer service, just makes it so that you don't get to transfer the cost of doing so onto your employees.
But what if the employer does pay you correctly for your results? So correctly that you are actually willing to do it?
If you don't think that's true, try fulfilling your duties through a marathon session on Monday one week and don't come in the rest of the week. Even employers who claim to be "results-driven" will view that as evidence of you being under-utilized and increase your workload.
Presumably you are in hi-tech industry -- software, hardware etc? These employees have never been weak part of the equation (not even in France ;-), since I can remember, as far back as 1997. One could always slam the door, cross the street and get a better job.
> i always thought that configure the work email in your phone or home computer is apart from stupid a security and privacy risk.
Agree! But what if the employer have given you the mobile phone you use, and pays the subscription fee?
Or a worse one. Otherwise companies would be offering infinite benefits and salary and reject zero candidates.
Look up salaries in France compared to norther Europe or US.