Campaign to empower younger staff
BY JOHN DINGWALL reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk
A CAMPAIGN is being launched today to boost the awareness of young people’s rights at work.
Citizens Advice Scotland’s Do the Rights Thing hopes to empower young workers to take action when they’re unfairly treated.
The charity’s social justice spokesperson, Nina Ballantyne, said: “Finding work can be hard enough as a young person, which means it can be tempting to ignore or put up with bad conditions if you do get a job.
“Whether it’s their right to the minimum wage, holiday or sick pay or joining a trade union, the employment landscape can be confusing for younger workers.
“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 their employment rights and how to take action if those rights are not being upheld.
“Our innovative approach will allow us to reach out through the channels young people are using and will help build our evidence base to support our calls for a fair deal for young people.”
Colleen McCudden, 27, said she had benefited from the advice.
She added: “My old boss sometimes expected me to take on more hours when we weren’t getting paid for it. Now I’m a bit more clued up and I know more about what my rights are.”
For more information visit citizensadvice.org.uk/ scotland/dotherightsthing/. CAS has also launched an online tool for people under 25 to submit their bad work experiences at dotherightsthing. typeform.com/to/I9DgqB