Did You Know? – employability partnership launches drive to raise awareness of employment rights

A new campaign launches this week aiming to raise awareness across the county on employee rights.

The campaign entitled 'Did You Know?' is aimed at both employees and employers - and is being run by the Orkney Local Employability Partnership. 

Posters will be on display in public areas and on social media. 

The campaign focuses on the various rights that an employee has and the responsibilities that an employer has to ensure that those rights are being met properly.

The key rights that are being highlighted are pay, maternity/paternity pay, flexible working, sick pay, health and safety, payslips, redundancy, notice periods, unfair dismissal, and annual leave.

Lindsey Johnson is Employability Team Manager with Orkney Islands Council's Community Learning and Development Service. She said: "Through the campaign we're looking to support both employees and employers through the work we're doing.

"For employees it's about increasing their awareness and understanding of their rights and what they can expect from their employers particularly as we all face some difficult times ahead under the cost-of-living crisis. 

“For employers who are facing a difficult jobs market, it's about helping them to provide  and promote the most positive working conditions that they can, in order to help with recruitment and retention.

"We're hoping that the campaign posters - and the web page - will provide opportunities to open up conversations between employers and employees, leading to positive outcomes for both parties."

The Orkney Local Employability Partnership (LEP) has responsibility for planning, coordinating, and delivering employability provision which supports individuals to progress towards fair and sustainable employment that suits their needs and that of the local economy and community.

Partners recognise the vital role local employers play and are committed to supporting them to recruit and retain staff at this challenging time.

Further information is also available at www.dyworkney.co.uk/employment-rights.