Anyone who has ever had a summer job or worked during their Leaving Cert will know that being a teenager and having a job can mean you're unfairly treated in the workplace. Now, sharing advice with working secondary school students is about to get a whole lot easier as a new helpline for second-level school students with workplace issues has been launched.
Siptu, Ireland's largest trade union, teamed up with the Irish Second Level Student Union (ISSU) for a week to give secondary students information about their rights in work under the trending hashtag #MyRightsAtWork. The end of the campaign resulted in the new introduction of this student helpline:
Now our members can avail of free professional advice on any work related issues thanks to @SIPTU #MyRightsAtWork pic.twitter.com/OaolwdjsY0
— Irish SecondLevel SU (@issu4u) September 25, 2017
The helpline will be operated by the Siptu centre workers who will assist members of the ISSU with any work-related queries. In a series of tweets, the ISSU shared important information that teens should know about their working hours and availability:
16 and 17 year olds, we haven't forgotten about you! Here are the starting and finishing hours for you! #MyRightsAtWork pic.twitter.com/YxoiXmT551
— Irish SecondLevel SU (@issu4u) September 28, 2017
Remember, your employer may not ask you to work before 8am nor after 8pm if you are 14 or 15. #MyRightsAtWork pic.twitter.com/aRbufmTnN2
— Irish SecondLevel SU (@issu4u) September 28, 2017
The ISSU have also prepared a go-to guide for students who are working in pubs, clubs or bars in their local area:
Are you a young person that works at night? We've made this handy guide just for you! #MyRightsAtWork pic.twitter.com/1xMvB0iZwH
— Irish SecondLevel SU (@issu4u) September 28, 2017
Speaking to The Independent, Ben Smith, the president of ISSU shared how important the campaign is for secondary students:
We are delighted to partner with Siptu on this campaign to inform our student members of their rights in the workplace.We found, from research we completed during the summer, that many young people were unaware of their rights at work.
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Students can call the workers rights centre on 1890 747 881 if they require any further information or assistance with a workplace issue.
