It is important to know where to go to for help if you ever feel you have faced discrimination or had unfair treatment when applying for work. Employers are not allowed to treat people unfairly or to ask for qualifications or qualities that are not necessary for the job. 

There are several organisations you can contact for information and advice on your rights.

General information

Your local Skills Development Scotland careers centre can help you with general information and advice. They will be able to identify which agency would be able to give you the right support. Their free helpline number is 0845 8 502 502.

Your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau can give advice and information on any aspect of discrimination or unfair treatment related to employment or job seeking.

Find your nearest office in the phone book, under ‘Citizens’ Advice’ or on the Scottish Association of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux website: www.cas.org.uk/

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (CEHR) is a new organisation which provides information and guidance on discrimination and human rights issues. The CEHR brings together the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) (sex discrimination), the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) (racial discrimination) and the Disability Rights Commission (discrimination on the grounds of disability).

It also has responsibility for other aspects of equality: age, sexual orientation, religion and belief and human rights.

Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline Scotland
Freepost RRLL-GYLB-UJTA
The Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow G2 8DU
Tel: 0845 604 5510
Textphone: 0845 604 5520
Web: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

Race equality and related information

There are several local Race Equality organisations in Scotland offering services.  These include:

Legal information and advice

Legal Services Agency (LSA)

The LSA works to tackle a range of legal needs. Free advice is available by telephone most Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 11am to 1pm and there is a free drop-in surgery most Wednesdays from 2.00 - 4.00pm.

These free services cover all aspects of legal needs, including young peoples’ rights. Its solicitors provide a range of services covering all aspects of legal needs, including young people’s rights. Initial advice is always free and Legal Aid may be used if further action is needed. 
 

Legal Services Agency
3rd Floor, Fleming House
134 Renfrew Street
Glasgow G3 6ST
Tel: 0141 353 3354
Fax: 0141 353 0354
E-mail: lsa@btconnect.com (do not include personal details in e-mails)
Web: www.lsa.org.uk

The Scottish Child Law Centre (SCLC) gives advice, information and training on all aspects of the law relating to children and young people under 18 years of age in Scotland.

Scottish Child Law Centre
54 East Crosscauseway
Edinburgh EH8 9HD
Tel: 0131 667 6333 or 0800 328 8970
Fax: 0131 662 1713
E-mail: enquiries@sclc.org.uk
Web: http://www.sclc.org.uk/