A cleaner at a prestigious Edinburgh hotel was taken off the staff rota after she complained about workplace bullying and assaults, a union claims.
Unite's hospitality branch shared a story of Sarah, an 18-year-old who is on a zero-hours contract with the hotel.
They say she suffered verbal abuse and an assault while working at the hotel. When she threatened to complain about her treatment, she was allegedly told by senior managers that they would "cut her f***ing hours."
When she submitted a formal complaint in January, her shifts were allegedly cut to zero despite working there for 18 months. She was left "destitute" as a result.
Unite has not named the hotel involved as the grievance case is ongoing.
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The union said on Facebook: "Sarah works for a prestigious hotel in Edinburgh cleaning rooms. Despite consistently working more than 30 hours per week, she is still on a zero hour contract.
"For months she was verbally abused by senior managers who told her they would 'cut her f**king hours' if she reported them. When she was physically assaulted she decided to take action. She made a formal complaint. "
The union said her hours were cut to zero on January 13 , days after submitting her complaint.
They continued: "She has been left destitute simply because she complained about her horrendous treatment. but this did not stop her challenging her treatment.
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"With the support of her union and fellow hospitality workers in her local branch Unite Hospitality - Edinburgh she lodged a formal grievance and appeal for victimisation.
"Today, she passionately put her case to the managing director of the company and demanded all her hours back- amounting to £2,000."
The union added: "Sarah’s story is not just an example of how some workers on zero hours can be treated. It’s also a story of how you must stand-up for yourself and others.
"If you are being bullied at work you don’t need to accept it. You can join a union and fight back, collectively."
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