Most young people undertake paid work during their studies, but student workers are among the most exploited groups in the workplace.  This new national campaign – backed by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Students (NUS) and the Young Women’s Trust – seeks to raise awareness of students’ employment rights and protections and deliver real change for student workers.

The campaign was co-created by an Expert Advisory Board of young people (ages 17-23) who are both working and going to school, college or university. The members of the Expert Advisory Board shared their first-hand experience in a wide range of student work, including part-time and zero-hours. Their insights were used at every stage of the co-creation process and helped identify the most pressing issues working students face today. The students highlighted gaps in existing support and focused on creating a genuinely empowering campaign for their fellow working students.

The campaign website provides advice about students’ rights at work and information on topics including minimum wage, calling in sick, the right to rest, joining a union, and how to deal with problems at work. It also includes downloadable and printable posters and postcards that students – as well as parents, teachers, careers advisors, employers and unions – can use and put up wherever there are young people who are earning and learning.

You can read more about the organisations and people behind the campaign here.