Help for young workers to know all their rights

A new campaign has been launched to make young people in Scotland more aware of their employment rights.

Citizens Advice Scotland’s Do the Rights Thing campaign aims to ensure young people know about their entitlements such as holiday pay, union membership and the minimum wage.

Statistics from the organisation indicate one in five of their clients aged under 25 is seeking advice on employment concerns.

The two-week campaign will highlight young people’s rights at work, where they can seek advice online, and outline how they can take action when their rights are being ignored.

The organisation has also launched an online form for young people to share their experiences of bad workplaces.

Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland will also be holding advice sessions with young people in their area.

Colleen McCudden, 27, volunteers as a peer mentor to other young people in a scheme organised by Parkhead Citizens Advice Bureau in Glasgow.

She said: “My old boss would sometimes expect me to take on more hours when we weren’t getting paid for it. Now I’m a bit more clued up, and doing the course built my confidence because I know more about what my rights are.”

Fellow volunteer Connor McCool, 21, said: “There was a specific session when we learnt about holiday pay and how that works. It was something I’ve never thought about when I was working in a restaurant – how holiday pay ties in with a zero-hours contract.”

Launching the campaign, Citizens Advice Scotland’s social justice spokeswoman, Nina Ballantyne, said: “The cycle of insecure work, low pay and limited opportunities is really tough, especially if you’re not sure of your rights. Our campaign will help young people understand them and how to take action if those rights are not being upheld.”