onduty

On duty is a term used to describe the status of an individual who is currently performing tasks or is available to perform tasks as part of their job or service. It is commonly used in contexts such as law enforcement, firefighting, healthcare, military, transportation, security, and customer service. The specific duties and expectations vary by role, but common elements include being present at the work location or on-call, adhering to the supervisor's instructions, and being prepared to respond to incidents or requests.

On-duty status is typically determined by a work schedule and is tracked for payroll, attendance, and compliance purposes. It can be distinguished from off-duty or on-call status; on-call means a person is not physically at their post but must be ready to respond, whereas on duty generally implies active assignment or presence. In some professions, equipment, identification, and duties are defined by policy or regulation for those who are on duty. Shifts can be fixed, rotating, or stretch across days, nights, or holidays.

In everyday usage, the phrase is also used metaphorically to indicate readiness to act or fulfill responsibilities, as in "the staff were on duty during the outage." The concept emphasizes accountability, availability, and the expectation that an individual is prepared to perform their role when required.